March 24, 2026
AVAC Impact Reports highlight the power of advocacy, research translation, and partnership to advance HIV prevention and global health equity. Read also about the introduction of lenacapavir (LEN) for PrEP and new efforts to translate evidence for decision making.
By Grace Tetteh
On March 7, 2026, advocates and concerned citizens observed a National Day of Action to Stand Up for Science, taking to streets, airwaves, and the internet to raise awareness about the ongoing threats posed to science and public health by the current US administration. In this environment, AVAC has continued to serve as a champion for research, and continuing to call on policymakers and donors to defend against harmful cuts that aim to dismantle US global leadership in biomedical research.
Since January 2025, AVAC and partners have defended the critical role of research. One of the greatest milestones in this defense was seen in rapid response to attacks by this administration, when AVAC worked with a volunteer coalition of the nation’s leading HIV researchers and advocates to organize and host the 24-Hour Marathon to Save AIDS Research. The virtual marathon provides 24-hours of interactive presentations, discussions, and learning sessions about the lifesaving contributions of HIV research and what is at stake if funding continues to be stripped away. Using convening power, research expertise, and research translation, this group of dedicated individuals brought advocates and researchers together in solidarity and shared critical messages about why HIV research matters with the larger global community.
The marathon has already reached more than 7,000 advocates, researchers, stakeholders, policy makers, journalists and community members from 28 countries and 30 U.S. states. The event featured 75 presenters representing major research institutions, public health organizations, civil society organizations and communities impacted by HIV all over the world, along with 42 endorsing organizations. The marathon covered a breadth of topics, including the legacy of innovation from HIV research;; the role of advocacy in an equitable and effective HIV response; the implications of intersecting and emerging epidemics; advances in prevention, treatment, vaccine and cure research; the growing portfolio of Africa-led HIV prevention research; innovative models for delivering care; and community movements to sustain access to HIV services.
AVAC has also worked with the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA) and the Treatment Action Group (TAG) to launch the Research Matters effort, which has supported previously-funded NIH researchers, advocates, and professional organizations to sound the alarm on the government’s attacks on public health, scientific research, and science at large. By mobilizing leading voices in research, strengthening advocacy skills through teach-ins, tools, and resources, educating policy makers, and disseminating timely and accurate information to track the impact of cuts to HIV research, AVAC helped researchers and advocates bring critical messages about the urgency of reversing funding cuts and the real-world impact of breakthroughs in HIV research to a larger audience.
As the field navigates the constantly evolving threats to science, AVAC will continue to do the critical work of tracking and translating the latest scientific and funding developments, and ensuring advocates are informed and supported in the ongoing fight to end HIV. Mitchell Warren, AVAC’s Executive Director affirmed, “Saving AIDS research is not a 24-hour exercise; it is a commitment from all of us involved to tackle this collective challenge.”