The 5th HIV Research for Prevention (R4P) conferenceis being held in Lima, Peru from 6 to 10 October. Held every two years, HIVR4P is the only global conference to focused exclusively on biomedical HIV prevention, including AIDS vaccines, microbicides, PrEP, treatment as prevention and other approaches.
See below for conference highlights, recaps and announcements.
Advocates’ Guide to Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs)
Multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) are products designed to simultaneously address more than one sexual and reproductive health concern. This advocates’ guide shows the pipeline of products in development, discusses why MPTs are needed, investment, and what advocates can do to push for MPT development and introduction.
The Future of ARV-Based Prevention and More
The pipeline of non-vaccine HIV prevention products includes oral pills, vaginal rings, vaginal and rectal gels, vaginal films, long-acting injectable antiretrovirals and more. Also pictured are the range of MPTs in development that aim to reduce the risk of HIV and STIs and/or provide effective contraception for women.
In 2024, Gilead Sciences released findings from the PURPOSE 1 and PURPOSE 2 trials testing lenacapavir (LEN) as HIV prevention. The PURPOSE 1 trial found 100% efficacy in preventing HIV in 5,300 cisgender women in Uganda and South Africa, and the PURPOSE 2 trial showed a 96% reduction in HIV incidence among cisgender men, trans, and non-binary individuals across multiple countries. Both trials demonstrated LEN’s safety and effectiveness in reducing HIV transmission. This advocates’ primer provides background on the product and trials; a summary of the early findings of PURPOSE 1 & 2; key questions and next steps.
This graphic shows currently available options for HIV prevention, newly approved and recommended treatment, and those in development.
SRH + HIV integration advocacy, Pandemic Accord, GPP and more!
AVAC’s round-up of resources, updates and insights this week includes a new roadmap for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and HIV integration, resources to support an equitable Pandemic Accord, innovations in Good Participatory Practices (GPP) and more!
The power of choice in contraception, sexual health and HIV prevention this World Contraception Day
Copper Rose Zambia, as a part of CASPR and AVAC launched a new resource addressing the critical need for integrated SRH and HIV services. This roadmap provides key steps for success, focusing on collaboration, strategic mapping and targeted advocacy.
MPTs are products designed to simultaneously address more than one sexual and reproductive health concern. This advocates’ guide shows the pipeline of products in development, discusses why MPTs are needed, investment, and what advocates can do to push for MPT development and introduction.
A group of organizations advocating for an integrated and holistic approach to preparedness that emphasizes equity, inclusion, and synergies of multiple global health programs in advancing preparedness, shares five priorities in Pandemic Accord negotiations.
AVAC’s Sam Rick moderated CISDI’s event alongside Nina Schwalbe, Lawrence Gostin, Eloise Todd and others, reminding the audience that for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPPR) to succeed, lessons from the HIV response must be integrated into the architecture being built for PPPR.
The 2024 Good Participatory Practice Online Course is now accepting applications for 30 spots! This course offering will run 14 October – 20 December 2024. The application deadline is 9 October.
Sexual and Reproductive Health Integration Advocacy Roadmap
This roadmap addresses the critical need for integrated sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and HIV services. This integration is essential for enhancing public health outcomes, socio-economic benefits, and individual health and rights. The Roadmap aims to revitalize and sustain advocacy efforts for SRH and HIV integration, empower communities to hold stakeholders accountable for implementation, increase political and program support to enable the shift from policy to practice, and foster dynamic partnerships across research, advocacy, implementation, and policy sectors.
It was developed by Copper Rose Zambia (CRZ) as part of the Coalition to Accelerate and Support Prevention Research (CASPR). It draws on extensive input, including desk reviews, interviews, focus group discussions, and a specialized workshop held at the 2023 International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA).
Avac Event
The Road Ahead – SRH Integration Advocacy
Join Copper Rose Zambia, as a part of CASPR, for a webinar, The Road Ahead – SRH Integration Advocacy. The webinar will launch the SRH Integration Advocacy Roadmap, and feature healthcare providers, advocates, and more to discuss the future of sexual and reproductive health integration.
Anna Miti Joins The Choice Agenda (TCA) as Co-Moderator
AVAC and The Choice Agenda (TCA) are delighted to welcome Anna Miti as the TCA’s new co-moderator. Based in Harare, Zimbabwe, Anna is a seasoned journalist, advocate for gender equality, an AVAC Cure Fellow, former AVAC Advocacy Fellow and co-convener of the Zimbabwe Media Science Cafe, who brings her passion for amplifying community voices to this role.
Launched by AVAC with Jim Pickett in April 2022, TCA is a global forum for advocacy on the latest in HIV prevention. With monthly webinars hosting informed discussions and a moderated listserv of nearly 3,000 subscribers from 40+ countries, TCA offers the HIV prevention community a platform to come together, learn from one another and chart the way forward. Anna will work alongside Jim and the AVAC team to foster inclusive advocacy around efforts to expand equitable access to HIV prevention tools around the world.
“As a long-time member of the TCA, I have valued it as a place for robust discussions and a vital platform to access new, timely and relevant information. I am excited to now contribute to this platform as co-moderator. Together with other advocates, I aim to strengthen the TCA’s impact and contribute even more to HIV and science advocacy.” – Anna Miti, TCA co-moderator
“On behalf of the TCA community, I am thrilled to welcome Anna into the brand-new role of co-moderator. Her dedication to HIV prevention research advocacy, her deep well of experience, and her exceptional communication skills will help us improve and expand our work to support HIV prevention research literacy and advocacy. The sun never sets on TCA, and I couldn’t be happier to have such a savvy, partner to help us take TCA to the next level.” – Jim Pickett, AVAC senior consultant and TCA moderator.
