amfAR at AIDS 2024

The theme of AIDS 2024, taking place in Munich, Germany, and virtually, July 22–26, is “Putting People First”—a chance for a conversation about what a person-centered and human rights-based HIV response looks like.

amfAR’s mission is driven by a person-centered and human rights-based approach, so it’s no surprise that many of its presentations, posters, and satellite sessions at AIDS 2024 intersect with the official theme.

Representatives from amfAR’s Andelson Office of Public Policy and TREAT Asia program and its network of investigators, as well as amfAR-funded biomedical researchers, will join an estimated 15,000 participants from around the world to share information and best practices about HIV/AIDS-related advocacy, public health policy, and biomedical research, and how and why they put people first.

Here is a preview of how amfAR will contribute to AIDS 2024.

Empowering Communities

HIV-related healthcare services are optimal when they are tailored to meet the specific and frequently changing needs of people living with HIV (PLWH) and those vulnerable to HIV. Community-led monitoring in this context has emerged as a way for PLWH and other advocates to collect and analyze data about the quality of healthcare delivery and then present solutions to duty bearers and hold them accountable to ensure changes are made.

Lead investigator Giten Khwairakpam of TREAT Asia will discuss how community-led monitoring doesn’t stop at evaluating essential health components but also actively addresses issues of rights and social justice. Along with co-author Elise Lankiewicz, amfAR’s policy associate, Khwairakpam analyzed and developed novel strategies to eliminate tuberculosis and viral hepatitis in Indonesia and Manipur, India.

amfAR staff will present on two aspects of healthcare service delivery in South Africa: predictors of waiting time at public health facilities and disparities in quality of care among trans men and trans women. Other presentations will address CLM approaches and data on PrEP, drawing on evidence from South Africa, Haiti, and Zimbabwe, as well as experiences with health facilities access for adolescent girls and young women living with HIV in Lesotho.

Partnering with Open Society Foundations, a satellite session titled “Undue Influence: The outsized role of U.S policy in global HIV and sexual and reproductive health and rights” will feature a presentation by Jennifer Sherwood, PhD, amfAR’s director of research, public policy, on the global impacts of anti-abortion policy on HIV programming.

Searching for HIV Cure Strategies

One of our new Krim Fellows, Gabriel Duette, PhD, of Westmead Institute for Medical Research in Westmead, Australia, will be presenting on his work in two sessions, one of which focuses on the relationship between analytical treatment interruptions during an HIV cure clinical trial and CD8 T-cell functionality during virological control.

Improving Mental Health

Providing holistic care means going beyond the medical needs of PLWH. As PLWH often face depression and anxiety, among other conditions related to emotional, psychological, and social well-being, mental health care—and research—is essential.

Annette Sohn, MD, PhD, an amfAR VP and director of TREAT Asia, has been invited to participate in a symposium session titled “Bridging mind and body: The interconnectedness of HIV and mental health.” Dr. Sohn will discuss the integration of mental health and HIV care and opportunities for scale-up.

TREAT Asia network investigator Tavitiya Sudjaritruk, of Chiang Mai University, Thailand, will present on the prevalence and associated factors of moderate-to-high suicidal risk among Thai adolescents and young adults living with HIV. Wipaporn Natalie Songtaweesin, of Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, will share lessons learned about fully integrating mental health management with routine HIV adolescent and young adult services in Thailand.

Meeting the Needs of Key Populations

Key populations—gay men and other men who have sex with men, sex workers, transgender people, people who inject drugs, and people in prison and other closed settings—are more vulnerable to HIV than the general population, yet frequently are denied or excluded from services. Research helps uncover barriers to prevention and treatment and illuminates the health equity aspects of marginalized populations.

In a symposium on person-centered services, Greg Millett, MPH, an amfAR VP and director of the public policy office, will present on structural racism and its impact on Black gay men in Europe and America accessing HIV prevention and treatment.

amfAR is collaborating with GATE for a preconference session titled “Unite, Advocate, Thrive!”—a gathering for up to 200 trans and gender diverse activists and key stakeholders from around the world who will work to create a multi-year action plan to respond to anti-gender and anti-rights opposition.

For a full listing of amfAR-related presentations and sessions, click here.

For more information about AIDS 2024, click here.