This analysis is a compilation of recommendations from civil society and community organisations on the DRAFT Negotiating Text of the WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (WHO Pandemic Agreement).
Civil Society Analysis: Negotiating Text of the WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (WHO Pandemic Agreement)
Avac Event
Pandemic Accord Briefing for Civil Society & Community Partners
The Pandemic Accord negotiations are ongoing, and should come to fruition next year. What do they mean for your work, your country, and the future of global health?
On Tuesday, November 21, 8:00 to 9:30 AM EST / 2:00 to 3:30 PM CEST, advocates came together to discuss two years of talks and what’s next to progress global health equity.
Avac Event
Africa Health R&D Week
Save the Date: Tuesday, November 21 to Friday, November 24
Africa Health R&D Week 2023 is designed to recognize achievements and step up advocacy for sustainable financing of health R&D through domestic resource mobilization (DRM) in Africa.
Inaugurated in 2022, the Africa Health R&D Week is a continental movement that builds bridges between researchers, policy makers, regulators, civil society advocates and community members committed to Africa’s health transformation through health R&D, and innovation.
This year the four-day virtual forum focuses on the need for sustainable support for vaccine development and manufacturing in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM). The 2023 edition will leverage South-South learning, by eliciting/ linking lessons and experiences from Asia and Africa.
Hosted by IAVI, in partnership with AVAC under the USAID-funded Coalition to Accelerate and Support Prevention Research (CASPR), the forum will discuss:
Day 1 – The aspirations, the reality and the gaps in Vaccine Manufacturing in LMICs (underscoring Africa)
Day 2 – African Countries contribution to the continental vision (Case studies of building manufacturing capacity)
Day 3 – Industry perspectives from Africa and Asia: Opportunities and challenges, and addressing the issue of sustainability
Day 4 – Advocates workshop to develop an advocacy roadmap to champion vaccine manufacturing
Blueprint for Sexual & Reproductive Health, Rights & Justice
AVAC joined more than 100 organizations to endorse the 2023 Blueprint for Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice Policy Agenda. Check it out to see recommendations to the US Executive Branch that would protect and expand access to sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice around the world. This Blueprint comes as several major threats to sexual health, rights and justice are gaining ground: the loss of abortion access and gender-affirming care in the US, and criminalization of LGBTQ people around the world.
Vital Conversations in October and November: So many webinars, so little time!
The October and November calendar of webinars offers a wealth of conversations on cross-cutting issues facing advocates who care about global health equity and HIV prevention. From discussions on PEPFAR reauthorization, to an evolving picture on sexually transmitted infections, to case studies on new interventions at the intersection of HIV prevention and family planning, to research on barriers to care and health priorities for Black gay men in the US; it is a season for advocates to engage in shaping an agenda for 2024.
Scroll down for details and see you online!
October 26, Practicality over Panic: What happens if PEPFAR isn’t reauthorized?
At 11:00 AM ET: Join the Global AIDS Partnership (GAPP) for a candid assessment of the current landscape around PEPFAR, including the implications for work on the ground. It is intended to redirect anxiety into action and provide a reality check: PEPFAR is not going anywhere any time soon.
October 31, Boo, Syphilis is Really Back!
At 1:00 PM ET: Syphilis rates have increased drastically in recent years. Learn how others are addressing these rising rates and the techniques clinicians are using to detect, treat, and prevent infections. Co-hosted with NACCHO and NNPTC.
November 7, Results from STI Landscaping Analyses in East and Southern Africa—Part 1
At 9:00 AM ET: Hear results from STI landscaping projects conducted by AVAC partners in seven different East and Southern African countries that explored needs for STI vaccines and diagnostics.
November 9, Results from STI Landscaping Analyses in East and Southern Africa—Part 2
At 8:00 AM ET: Hear results from STI landscaping projects conducted by AVAC partners in seven different East and Southern African countries that explored needs for STI vaccines and diagnostics.
November 9, Pioneering Self-care Solutions to Drive Access to HIV Prevention and Family Planning
At 8:00 AM ET: This session will amplify lessons from five self-care interventions in family planning and HIV prevention — with case studies on specific interventions— DMPA-SC; the Caya Diaphragm; the Dual Prevention Pill; HIV self-testing; and Triggerise; an mHealth platform. Learn more about how these successful self-care strategies can be applied across diverse settings and join the discussion on the future of self-care in sexual and reproductive health. This session is part of the 2023 Self-Care Learning and Discovery Series. Learn more here.
November 15, HPTN 096: Building Equity Through Advocacy – An Integrated, Status-Neutral Approach for Ending the Epidemic Among Black Gay Men in the South
At 10:00am ET: Join The Choice Agenda and partners for a fascinating discussion about a novel, much-needed HIV prevention research study – HPTN 096. Currently in the field, the study addresses social, structural, institutional, and behavioral barriers to HIV prevention and care. Visit the study website here. See the speakers list here. Co-sponsored by PrEP in Black America and Federal AIDS Policy Partnership Research Working Group
Community Manifesto for HIV Long-Acting Injectable PrEP in Europe
This document stems from a March 2023 consensus meeting in Paris involving regional and international HIV prevention organizations and activists. Four main pillars were identified to promote new PrEP technologies and expand access to long-Acting injectable PrEP in Europe. These pillars should be implemented simultaneously and also aim to broaden PrEP accessibility beyond LA-CAB.
Avac Event
Practicality over Panic: What happens if PEPFAR isn’t reauthorized?
Thursday, October 26 at 11:00 AM ET
This discussion will offer a candid assessment of the current landscape, including the implications for work on the ground. It is intended to redirect anxiety into action and provide a reality check: PEPFAR is not going anywhere any time soon.
MODERATOR: Elisha Dunn-Georgiou, Global Health Council
SPEAKERS:
Jen Kates, Kaiser Family Foundation
Katie Coester, Global AIDS Policy Partnership, EGPAF
Mark Lagon, Friends of the Global Fight
Richard Muko, AVAC
Avac Event
Pioneering Self-care Solutions to Drive Access to HIV Prevention and Family Planning
Thursday, November 9, at 8:00 AM ET
This session will amplify lessons from five self-care interventions in FP and HIV prevention — DMPA-SC, the Caya Diaphragm, the Dual Prevention Pill, HIV self-testing, and Triggerise, an mHealth platform – to highlight successful self-care strategies across settings and discuss the future of self-care in SRH.
SPEAKERS
- George William Barigye, Regional Technical Advisor- Anglophone countries, Injectables Access Collaborative, PATH Uganda
- Alexandra Angel, Technical Advisor, Sexual and Reproductive Health, PSI
- Charlotte Pahe, Director, Reproductive Health/Integrated Portfolio, PS Kenya
- Serah Malaba, Chief Impact Officer, Triggerise
- Kate Segal, Senior Program Manager, Product Introduction and Access, AVAC
MODERATED BY
- Anna Rammou, Interim Manager, SRHR Access, CIFF
- Wawira Nyagah, Director of Product Introduction and Access, AVAC
- Mitchell Warren, Executive Director, AVAC
This session is part of the 2023 Self-Care Learning and Discovery Series. Learn more about the Discovery Series here.
Avac Event
HPTN 096: Building Equity Through Advocacy – An Integrated, Status-Neutral Approach for Ending the Epidemic Among Black Gay Men in the South
November 15, 10:00 to 11:30 AM ET
The Choice Agenda and partners hosted a fascinating discussion about a novel, much-needed HIV prevention research study – HPTN 096 on November 15. Currently in the field, the study addresses social, structural, institutional, and behavioral barriers to HIV prevention and care. Visit the study website here.
Speakers (list in formation):
Prof. LaRon E. Nelson. Yale School of Nursing; HPTN 096 Protocol Co-Chair
Christopher Hucks-Ortiz, HPTN Black Caucus Chair
Dr. Cedric Pulliam, HPTN 096 Community Strategy Group
Abraham Johnson, HPTN 096 Research Advisor
Moderators:
Riko Boone, Treatment Action Group
John Meade, AVAC
Co-sponsored by PrEP in Black America and Federal AIDS Policy Partnership Research Working Group
DoxyPEP Implementation – All Systems Go?
On October 5, The Choice Agenda (TCA) and the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) hosted a discussion on the roll out of Doxycycline as STI PEP for helping gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men and transgender women reduce bacterial STIs, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis.
Speakers:
Dr. Taimur Khan, Fenway Health
Cait Shea, NCSD
Kendrick Clack, NP, Crofoot MD Clinic/Research Center
Lee Vaughn-Ogin, Bigger Blacker Book