Avac Event

Decolonizing Global Public Health: Exploring the how, from now til as long as it takes

An interactive and thought-provoking discussion, this webinar critically examined a trend of historical legacies and power dynamics which if not checked, continue to shape global public health.

Participants engaged in deep reflection and dialogue to understand how colonialism, imperialism, and other systems of oppression have influenced the development and implementation of public health policies, practices, and research methodologies. The webinar further explored and contextualized strategies and approaches for decolonizing public health to promote equity and justice.

Speakers:

  • Preethi John, University College London
  • Bridget Malewezi, Mothers2mothers Malawi
  • Mareli Claassens, University of Namibia
  • Julieta Kavetuna, Member of Parliament, Namibia

Moderator:

  • Alice M. Kayongo – O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law

Recording / Slides / Audio Transcript

Avac Event

Community Breakfast Club at CROI 2024

The Community Breakfast Clubs are virtual webinars coordinated by the CROI Community Liaisons, the European AIDS Treatment Group, AVAC, and their global collaborators. They featured researchers and advocates discussing some of the most consequential science being presented at CROI.

This year, they will took place on March 4, 5, and 6 from 7AM MT to 8AM MT. For further information, you may reach out to CROI Community Liaison Jim Pickett at [email protected].

Monday March 4

Spotlight on Social and Behavioural Science at CROI 2024
Moderator:
Nicoletta Policek, European AIDS Treatment Group
Speakers:
Dr. LaRon Nelson, Yale School of Nursing, CROI Scientific Program Committee
Dr. Sari Reisner, University of Michigan, CROI Scientific Program Committee

Recording / Chat / Audio Transcript

Tuesday, March 5

Living with HIV for a Lifetime – It’s Complicated
Moderator:
Dr. Annette Sohn, amfAR, UCSF, CROI Scientific Program Committee
Speakers:
Dr. Allison Agwu, Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Judith Currier, UCLA, CROI Scientific Program Committee

Recording / Chat / Audio Transcript

Wednesday, March 6

Research Roundup: Scientists and Advocates Offer Fresh Perspectives and Seasoned Analyses of CROI 2024 Research
Moderator:
Grace Kumwenda, CROI Community Liaison

Speakers:
Dr. Carlos del Rio, Emory, CROI Scientific Program Committee
Dr. Christina Farr, Case Western Reserve University
Natasha Mwila, CROI Community Educator Scholar
Moses Supercharger, CROI Community Educator Scholar Mentor

Recording / Chat / Audio Transcript

Avac Event

CROI 2024

The 31st annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI)  took place from March 3-6 in Denver, Colorado. CROI is the go-to forum for groundbreaking science in the HIV field, and this years’ program was full of exciting new research.

AVAC Daily Dispatches

AVAC sent out daily dispatches summarizing each day’s news out of CROI:

Community Breakfast Clubs

The CROI Community Liaisons, AVAC, the European AIDS Treatment Group, and partners for daily Community Breakfast Clubs organized the daily Community Breakfast Club. These virtual webinars featured researchers and advocates discussing some of the most consequential science being presented at CROI.

Recordings and transcripts available here.

Avac Event

The New Public Health Order: Strengthening Pandemic Preparedness in Africa

WACI Health, RANA and The Choice Agenda hosted a webinar on Thursday, February 29 called, “The New Public Health Order: Strengthening Pandemic Preparedness in Africa”

This webinar introduced key initiatives for the coming year from Africa CDC and the African Union and illuminate roles for civil society and community engagement. We heard from both Africa CDC representatives and key advocates on the development of these initiatives and what goals they intend to achieve.

Speakers: 

  • Jens Pedersen – Senior Advisor for Africa CDC 
  • Dr. Fifa Rahman – Pandemic Negotiations Consultant for Africa CDC
  • Dr. Landry Tsague – Senior Advisor for Africa CDC

Moderator:

  • Samantha Rick – AVAC

Recording / Resources / Transcript

Avac Event

Black Gay Men in the US

Global Black Gay Men Connect (GMBMC) hosted a town hall discussion focusing on Black Gay Men and HIV in the US featuring influential figures in the Black Gay community, including Ace Robinson, Dr. Daniel D. Driffin, and GBGMC board member Kenyon Farrow.

Avac Event

Advocacy Navigator Info Session – Mentors

This session is intended for any AVAC alumni interested in applying to become a mentor for the Advocacy Navigator program. The session will provide an overview of the program, expectations, eligibility, and application process, followed by Q&A with the AVAC team.

Avac Event

Advocacy Navigator Info Session – Navigators

This session was intended for anyone interested in applying to the Advocacy Navigator program. The session provided an overview of the program, expectations, eligibility, and application process, followed by Q&A with the AVAC team.

Avac Event

HIV Cure and the Environment: How location informs cure research

AVAC and REACH for the Cure hosted a webinar to discuss how the environment may impact HIV cure strategies. During this webinar, both organizations explored how clades, co-infections, early treatment, and other factors can help inform existing approaches to HIV cure research. Dr. Adam Ward of Weill Cornell Medicine shared the latest data followed by an informal conversation.  

Recording / Dr. Adam Ward Slides

Avac Event

AVAC in Conversation with NIAID’s Jeanne Marrazzo

The new director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo joined AVAC Executive Director in conversation.

Avac Event

The Adolescent Medicine Trials Network (ATN): Research addressing HIV health inequities among US adolescents and young adults

Join us for an overview of the newest cycle of the Adolescent Medicine Trials Network! This webinar will highlight ATN 165: Linking Youth to PrEP Services (LYPS) which tests an innovative mobile delivery and mHealth intervention to optimize PrEP adherence and persistence among sexual minority men, ATN 167: Legal, Economic, and Affirming Peer Support (LEAP) for transgender and gender diverse youth, and how the network prioritizes and amplifies the voices of youth directly impacted by the ATN’s pivotal research.

Speakers Include:

  • Dr. Lisa Hightow-Weidman, ATN Principal Investigator, College of Nursing Florida State University
  • Dr. Sybil Hosek, ATN Principal Investigator, University of Illinois-Chicago
  • Dr. Sari Reisner, University of Michigan School of Public Health
  • Dr. Kristi Gamarel, University of Michigan School of Public Health
  • Dr. Kate Muessig, Florida State University
  • Dr. Audrey Pettifor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  • Zoe Njemanze, ATN Subject Matter Research Consultant
  • Kendrick Forte, ATN Subject Matter Research Consultant
  • Rodrigo Cabrera, ATN National Community Advisory Board

Recording / Slides / Resources