Breaking the cycle of transmission: A human-centered approach to increase adoption and sustained use of HIV prevention among high-risk adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in South Africa

Download findings from Breaking the Cycle of Transmission, a research effort to better understand AGYW decisions and behaviors related to HIV prevention; identify different segments to better tailor outreach; and how to reach each segment more effectively. The project uses user-centered research and human-centered design and piloting.

The HIV Prevention Market Manager (PMM), co-led by AVAC and CHAI and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, leads the research in partnership with behavioral research firm Final Mile, user-centered design firm Upstream Innovation and market research group Ask AfriKa, with the Surgo Foundation providing strategic guidance.

Evaluating, Scaling up and Enhancing Strategies for Supporting PrEP Continuation and Effective Use

In June 2019, the Prevention Product Manager (PMM)—a joint partnership between AVAC and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI)—and Jhpiego convened a think tank to consider how best to define and measure PrEP continuation. Its recommendations included modifying current PrEP indicators, recognizing that a single definition of correct or effective use might not be possible given fluctuating and variable HIV risk.

A second think tank was held in September 2020 with the theme Evaluating, Enhancing and Scaling up Strategies for Supporting PrEP Continuation and Effective Use. This think tank explored effective and promising strategies for helping people to stay on PrEP, strategies that can be scaled up across populations and locations.

Understanding the EMA Opinion and Next Steps for the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring

On July 24, 2020, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced a positive regulatory opinion from on the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring as an HIV prevention option for cisgender women age 18 and older. This document helps advocates to understand the steps that can and must be taken now that the EMA has provided its opinion. Read it here.

Global Investment in HIV Cure Research and Development in 2019

In 2014, the HIV Vaccines and Microbicides Resource Tracking Working Group and AVAC began a

Regulatory Approval Primer for Vaccine Advocates

The difference between speed and cutting corners can be one of life or death for individuals, and of impact versus impasse for societies. Advancing a vaccine candidate without peer-reviewed research results and thorough regulatory review can also undermine confidence in public institutions and vaccines generally. Global health advocates have an essential role to play as watchdogs of the regulatory systems that have worked well for decades, but may be vulnerable to global pressure for a vaccine and the current politicization of science.

Advocates’ Guide: The risks and benefits of expedited COVID-19 vaccine research

This guide highlights the strategies being implemented to shorten the COVID-19 vaccine development timeline and the benefits, risks and key takeaways for each.

Designing a New Generation of HIV Prevention Efficacy Trials

Designing trials to test new HIV prevention modalities remains crucial; high rates of new infections persist in communities all over the world. Even with effective tools becoming more accessible, it’s clear no single option fits every need. But those same options make the design of future trials increasingly complex. Bill Snow, AVAC co-founder and senior advisor, explores this issue in Designing a New Generation of Prevention Efficacy Trials. The report lays out basic concepts in innovations in trial design and an analysis of the implications for advocacy.

A Statement on the Future of HIV Prevention Trials

AVAC’s inaugural Trial Design Academy convened in September 2019. At that meeting, a group of around 20 HIV prevention advocates from across the globe explored technical issues related to trial designs, and engaged with researchers, statisticians and regulators to understand the decisions—which must incorporate input from advocates. As an outcome of this workshop, the group developed a statement of its viewpoints and stances on this new, complex generation of HIV prevention trials—this work was presented at AIDS 2020 Virtual: Advocates’ Perspectives on Next-Generation HIV Prevention Trial Design. Read the consensus statement.

Integration of HIV prevention and SRH services in Zimbabwe

Findings from an assessment of HIV prevention and SRH integration in Zimbabwe, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, comprised of site visits to health facilities, key informant interviews, civil society dialogues and a policy review.

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Advocates’ Primer on Injectable Cabotegravir for PrEP: Trials, Approvals, Rollout and More

Results from two large-scale efficacy trials found that injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA), given every two months, was effective as a form of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in preventing HIV in gay men and other men who have sex with men, transgender women who have sex with men, and cisgender women. CAB-LA was developed by ViiV Healthcare and is currently used in HIV treatment. It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as the first form of injectable PrEP in December 2021. This document focuses on CAB-LA for prevention, outlining what’s known and what’s next for this emerging biomedical HIV prevention strategy.

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