Advocating for Health Equity

Shaping a new era of global health investment, policy, planning and prevention

AVAC Meeting in NYC

Advocacy and activism have been a linchpin in the history of HIV treatment and prevention. The visionary work of passionate advocates has resulted in hard-fought global gains against HIV.

AVAC is part of a robust civil society movement helping to shape a new era of global health spending and planning related to HIV prevention. We mobilize to ensure programs, products and policies are evidence-based, inclusive and effective. With our partner network, we identify critical needs and develop strategic campaigns to advance HIV prevention, with a focus on ensuring a rich pipeline of options move through research and development, and rollout effectively to reach the communities who need them most.

Our advocacy takes place:

  • Where funders, policies and programs come together.
  • At the point of service delivery, where options from the pipeline must become choices in people’s lives. 
  • At Parliaments, State Houses, Ministries of Health, National legislatures, and international bodies,to press for global and country accountability.
  • In the hands of robust and sophisticated coalitions of African-led civil society organizations.

The Latest on Advocating for Health Equity

Article

30 Years of Standing for Science and Equity

This month, AVAC marked our 30th anniversary. Over three decades, the HIV field has evolved dramatically—but what we do, and why we do it, has remained constant: standing for science, equity, and community leadership, and ensuring evidence drives decisions that affect people’s lives. We’ve been able to do this work because of your partnership and support, and we are deeply grateful.

Article

The Future of HIV Prevention Depends on Speed, Scale and Equity 

We are in a golden moment, where innovation, evidence and opportunity align. But proposed funding cuts could undo everything. These aren’t abstract numbers on a page. These cuts would shutter clinics, slow prevention, restrict treatment, and roll back the very systems that allow new tools like LEN to reach people.

Article

Sexually Transmitted Infections: ‘Self-testing’ versus ‘self-collection’: the critical role of consistent language in the field of STI diagnostics

This editorial from AVAC’s Alison Footman and colleagues makes the case for precise and consistent language around self-testing and self-collection. because clarity impacts policy, expectations, and access.