This scorecard advocacy tool synthesizes the visions put forth in the No Data No More Manifesto to Align HIV Prevention Research with Trans and Gender-Diverse Realities into scorable indicators to help realize trans-inclusivity in research.
No Data No More Scorecard Tool
An Advocate’s Guide to Research in Pregnant and Lactating Populations
A resource that provides background on the need for research in pregnant and lactating populations and how advocates can advance inclusion.
This Week at AVAC: US election, new LEN resources, STI pipeline and PrEP service delivery
As we continue to grapple with the results of the US presidential election and what this means for our work and for global health evidence- and rights-based policies and programs generally, we wanted to share a range of new tools and resources you may find helpful in your advocacy for choice, science and rights.
Injectable Lenacapavir for PrEP
Additional LEN Resources
- Report: From Clinical Trial Efficacy to Public Health Impact: A Plan for Accelerating Access to Injectable Lenacapavir for PrEP
- PxPulse Podcast Lenacapavir: The case for investing in delivering HIV prevention
- Advocates’ Guide: The Lens on LEN: The Basics on Injectable Lenacapavir as PrEP
- Graphic: An Overview of Lenacapavir for PrEP Trials
- Graphic: Moving a Product to the Real World
- Recording: Breaking New Ground: Expanding Access to Lenacapavir—Lessons from Dolutegravir and the Future of HIV Prevention
- Graphic: The Future of ARV-Based Prevention and More
- See our lenacapavir page for a full suite of resources
Webinars on the STI Pipeline, Advances in Research Ethics, and Money for the DVR and More!
In Case You Missed It
Recording / Slides / DVR Early Market Access Vehicle page
And stay tuned for a new PxPulse podcast featuring Jen Kates of KFF and AVAC’s Suraj Madoori, The Votes Are In: What’s next for the US’ role in global health and HIV prevention. The podcast hits airways November 14.
Avac Event
Understanding Anal Pleasure and Health for Clinicians, Behavioral Health Specialists, Peers & HIV Workers
Forty years into the epidemic, people are still seeking accurate, reliable information about anal play that isn’t just about HIV and STI prevention. They want to understand how to engage in ways that maximize pleasure and reduce harms beyond infectious disease. Often, they end up encountering harmful myths rather than facts, and then learn by ‘trial and error’.
This 90-minute webinar is appropriate for HIV and STI clinicians, behavioral health workers, social workers, case managers, peers and anyone else with a responsibility for delivering or referring to HIV services like treatment, PrEP, testing and support services.
Participants learned the rationale for why addressing anal pleasure and health is essential in HIV service settings as well as ways to respond to frequently asked questions, including via a new client- and worker-facing website.
Recording I Slides I Resources
Speakers included:
- Bryan Kutner, PhD, MPH, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Samuel Anyula Gorigo, Hoymas (Health Options for Young Men on HIV/AIDS and STIs) Kenya
Today — in the US and around the world
There are no words that can adequately, or appropriately, describe the state of the world right now and how AVAC and I are feeling about it. I expect it is a similar sentiment for all of us — irrespective of where we live and vote.
AVAC was founded 30 years ago — in a very different time, with very different political and economic dynamics and epidemiologic realities. But from that beginning, AVAC has always championed an evidence- and rights-based, equitable response to the HIV epidemic — honoring choice and dignity for all.
And we will not stop — not until we are done, and most definitely not now!
We will all need time to process these US election results and strategize how we navigate through them in the days and years ahead — as individuals, as a network of partners, as citizens of the world, and — most importantly — as advocates for choice, freedom, science, and rights.
There will, undoubtedly, be major implications for global health and the global AIDS response. We look forward to working with our partners in protecting hard-fought gains and in assessing the potential impact on PEPFAR and Global Fund support; on USAID, NIH, CDC and the FDA; on the US relationship to WHO and other UN agencies; and on evidence- and rights-based policies and programs generally.
We will be in touch soon with an initial analysis, starting with the release of a podcast next week with Jen Kates from KFF and our own Suraj Madoori as we begin to unpack it all. And we look forward to working with all of you in reviewing it and making it actionable.
Thank you; stay tuned; and stay strong.
Mitchell J. Warren
Executive Director
AVAC
Avac Event
Join the Fight Against HIV: Discover the latest breakthroughs
Are you passionate about medical breakthroughs and advocacy? Don’t miss out on this pivotal community event where leading scientists and dedicated advocates gather to discuss with you the latest strides in HIV cure research.
Meet Two People Cured of HIV: Hear their stories, learn about their journeys, and discover the breakthroughs in medical science that made their cures possible. This is a unique opportunity to gain insight into the advancements in HIV and the hope it brings to many.
Explore Cutting-Edge Research: Get insights into the latest advancements towards finding a cure for HIV. Hear directly from the experts who are at the forefront of this critical work.
Engage in Thought-Provoking Discussions: Participate in conversations that matter. Share your thoughts a cure for HIV and learn from others who are just as committed to this cause.
Network with Like-Minded Individuals: Connect with those who share your dedication to making a difference. Build relationships that could shape the future of HIV advocacy and research.
Be Inspired to Take Action: Leave feeling motivated and equipped with new knowledge to contribute to the fight for a cure for HIV in meaningful ways.
People’s Research Agenda: New dimensions to the “3D” pathway
Launched at HIVR4P in Lima, Peru in October 2024, the People’s Research Agenda (PRA) is a collaboratively developed framework for aligning the needs and priorities of affected communities with the agenda for HIV prevention research. 130 advocates from more than 20 countries contributed to the framework, which offers guidance on both research conduct and what products to develop. Read more in PxWire.
PxPulse: The Advocacy Chronicles with Danielle Campbell from PrEP in Black America
In this episode of the Advocacy Chronicles, we’re putting the spotlight on the US, on the dismal statistics on access to PrEP in Black communities, on the state of HIV prevention among Black Americans overall, and the work of one advocacy group— PrEP in Black America (PIBA). Danielle Campbell is one of the founders of PIBA and a long-time advocate for HIV prevention and health equity. She joins the Advocacy Chronicles to talk about PIBA’s call to action for an HIV research agenda that prioritizes the needs of Black communities. And we also explore the tactics that have led this group to quickly rise as a powerhouse, bringing together communities and government to find solutions that improve the US HIV response.
Danielle is a member of the research faculty at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science and a member of the community scientific subcommittee for a global HIV research network. She is an experienced clinical research manager who integrates principles of health equity and implementation science into biobehavioral research into HIV treatment, prevention and cure research and she is a past Chair of the HIV/AIDS Section of American Public Health Association (APHA) and has served as Chair of the Science Board and Co-Chair of the Joint Policy Committee.
Listen
Resources
- For Us By Us: PrEP in Black America: A Master Plan for HIV Prevention, Report
- PrEP in Black America, YouTube introduction
- National PrEP Program for Black America, Slide presentation
- PrEP in Black America (PIBA) and Black Public Health Academy Share Statement on Lenacapavir Results, Statement
- National PrEP Advocates Applaud CDC PrEP Pilot Launch, AVAC statement
- Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit and PrEP in Black America Summit Highlights, AVAC blog
- Find PIBA on Instagram
Avac Event
PIBA Presents Reimagining the HIV Prevention Blueprint for Black Communities in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee
PrEP in Black America (PIBA) with regional Partners will host a Virtual Town Hall titled, Reimagining the HIV Prevention Blueprint for Black Communities in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
This is designed to offer a virtual platform for leaders in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas to share the narrative of PrEP within Black communities. The town hall will concentrate on three main objectives: 1. Motivating the Black public health workforce to spearhead the public health response. 2. Educating the broader Black community about the science and efficacy of PrEP. 3. Advocating for a federally funded national PrEP program.
Local Partners Include:
- Community Health-PIER (MS)
- FABRIC, Incorporated (MS)
- Mississippi AIDS Education and Training Center (MS)
- WeCare TN
- Ryan White Part A Program Memphis (TN)
PIBA requests that only residents of Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas (US) attend this virtual town hall.
HIVR4P Highlights, Inclusive Prevention Pipeline, Policy Shaping & More
AVAC’s round-up of resources, updates and insights this week includes highlights from HIVR4P, a new vision for an inclusive prevention pipeline, shaping policy and more!
HIVR4P 2024 conference highlights and recap
The 5th HIV Research for Prevention (R4P) conference was held last week in Lima, Peru. The data and discussions centered on accomplishments in HIV prevention, how far the field remains from reaching targets, understanding how choice works and why it matters, and where the research agenda is headed. As AVAC’s Mitchell Warren told Axios, “lenacapavir is on everybody’s lips here at HIVR4P 2024. That’s probably the second-most popular word this week; I think the most popular word is access.
Partners and AVAC launched The People’s Research Agenda (PRA), a global initiative driven by communities and advocates to envision an inclusive HIV prevention pipeline and ensure the voices of those most affected by HIV are integrated into HIV prevention research and development.
Media Highlights
- Access questions hang over Gilead’s HIV shot, Axios
- What Inspired Me Was to Provide Solutions to People’ – HIV Prevention Advocate Idah Mulala, All Africa
- Argentinian Advocate Gastón Devisich Wins 2024 Omololu Falobi Award at HIVR4P Conference in Lima, Heap News
Shaping policy, centering people
AVAC’s Suraj Madoori Joins Developed Country NGO Delegation (DelDev)
Policy Director, Suraj Madoori is one of four new members to join DevDel, one of the 20 voting delegations to the Board of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. DevDel plays a critical role in the development and evolution of organizational strategy, the funding model, the work of the Secretariat and policy.
AVAC’s Jessica Salzwedel Talks Community Engagement with National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement
In a mini series on community engagement, the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement interviewed AVAC’s Jessica Salzwedel, Senior Program Manager of Research Engagement on what centering communities truly means.