HIV and AIDS News and Updates

Children of sex workers in the Perna community declare "AIDS Will Not Stop Our Dance."
Photo credit: Abraar Karan/Apne Aap Women Worldwide

Better, Safer and Now Cheaper: Accelerating Access to Optimized HIV Treatment - September 21, 2017
This week at the UN General Assembly, a breakthrough pricing agreement between multiple global partners was announced to accelerate the availability of the first affordable, generic, single-pill HIV treatment in low- and middle-income countries.

USAID Announces $25 Million Award to IPM for Continued Investment in Microbicides to Combat HIV/AIDS - July 26, 2017
U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID's) new microbicide award seeks to make a safe, effective and affordable HIV preventive product available to all women to control the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Vantage Software from USAID Partner BroadReach Spotlighted at Microsoft Conference - July 11, 2017
Broadreach, a USAID partner, will be highlighted this week during a keynote address at the Microsoft Inspire conference for its use of technology to transform the HIV/AIDS response in South Africa.

Opportunities for Empowering Young Women to Become Health Workers to Support HIV - March 30, 2017
In recognition of World Health Worker Week (April 2-8, 2017), USAID commemorates the tireless efforts of health workers across the globe and reflects on the opportunities for creating the next generation of female health worker heroes.

First-in-Human Trials Demonstrate Nanoformulations' Ability to Transform HIV Treatment - February 22, 2017
New findings presented at the 2017 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) show that novel nanoformulations of antiretroviral medications can transform HIV treatment by reducing dosing by 50 percent, saving money and increasing patients' adherence.

Research Shows Promise in Combination Strategy for HIV Care and Treatment Linkage - February 17, 2017
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) strives to get more patients linked to, and retained in, HIV care through the USAID-supported Engage4Health project in Mozambique.

The Next Generation of HIV Vaccine Research for Africa, with Africa, Begins - February 8, 2017
USAID’s investment in the ADVANCE project strengthens the African research environment by enabling scientists on the continent to contribute – and eventually lead – novel HIV vaccine design and testing to improve the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS.

New Study Seeks to Accelerate Access to Simpler, Safer and More Affordable HIV Treatment - January 16, 2017
USAID announced the launch of a new study, known as ADVANCE, in Johannesburg, South Africa on January 16, 2017. USAID's investments in ADVANCE are part of its support for the OPTIMIZE consortium, a global partnership working to accelerate access to simpler, safer and more affordable HIV treatment.

New USAID-supported JAIDS Supplement Shows Impact of Communication on HIV Treatment Outcomes - December 8, 2016
Effective health communication helps keep people in treatment throughout the HIV continuum of care, leading to more positive health outcomes, according to a new supplement of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (JAIDS) which launched December 9, 2016.

South Africa Launches HIV/AIDS Data Monitoring System - November 23, 2016
South Africa launched its first national HIV and AIDS web-based data monitoring system, developed in collaboration between PEPFAR and USAID through Right to Care, Boston University, South Africa’s National Health Laboratory Service, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases and the National Department of Health. The system aims to make HIV data accessible to healthcare practitioners involved in managing the HIV and AIDS epidemic in near-real time.

Frontlines: Within These Support Groups, Namibians with HIV Have Found a Positive Outlook on Life - November/December 2016
The members of Let's Unite are more than a collection of support group participants with HIV and AIDS. Now about 15,000 strong and located across a large swath of rural Namibia also impacted by El Niño, the organization ensures its members are enrolled in care, remain in care and, if they are on treatment, take their medications correctly. It's also a place where people can work together to ease the burdens – physical and emotional – of being HIV-positive.

USAID Celebrates 30 Years of Commitment to HIV and AIDS - November 9, 2016
This year, the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID's) Office of HIV/AIDS celebrates 30 years of continued investments in combating HIV and AIDS around the world.

USAID Marks 15-Year Partnership with International AIDS Vaccine Initiative - October 17, 2016
For the past 15 years, USAID has partnered with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) to ensure the development of safe, effective, accessible, preventive HIV vaccines.

A Different Way of Doing Business: How We're Funding Development Today … and Tomorrow- September 20, 2016
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) partners with local governments under the Sustainable Financing Initiative  in an effort to provide a sustainable approach to HIV testing, treatment and care.

USAID, Edo State Government Launch U.S. $1 Million Program in Support of HIV/AIDS-Affected Children, Families in Nigeria - July 28, 2016
USAID in partnership with the Edo State government, launched a $1 million program to support HIV and AIDS-affected children and families in Nigeria. The program, funded by USAID through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), would help to lift 15,000 families affected by HIV and AIDS out of poverty in Edo, Benue, Kogi, and Nassarawa States. 

USAID Helps Vietnam Fight against HIV - July 27, 2016
USAID has announced a five-year project and US $26 million grant to help Vietnam fight against HIV and AIDS. The project aims to enhance capacity of local civil society organizations and community-based organizations to lead the campaign in HIV prevention and treatment activities across the country. 

Elton John AIDS Foundation and PEPFAR Announce Inaugural LGBT Fund Recipients - July 20, 2016
The Elton John AIDS Foundation and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) announced the first two recipients of The LGBT Fund at the AIDS 2016 conference. The inaugural recipients are the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (The Alliance) and the Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF).

PEPFAR and DREAMS Partners Announce Winners of the $85 Million DREAMS Innovation Challenge - July 18, 2016
On the first day of AIDS 2016, the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, Janssen Pharmaceuticals NV, and ViiV Healthcare announced 56 DREAMS Innovation Challenge winners in 10 sub-Saharan African countries. The winners selected will implement innovative solutions in DREAMS districts, across all DREAMS countries and Challenge focus areas.

South Africa’s Latest Weapon against HIV: Street Dispensers for Antiretrovirals - July 17, 2016
A new USAID-supported machine that quickly and easily dispenses antiretroviral drugs to people with HIV was unveiled at the AIDS 2016 conference on Monday. Developed by USAID partner Right to Care, the prototype could be a game-changer in the fight to contain the AIDS epidemic in South Africa and beyond.

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Launches New USAID-Funded Project to Provide Universal HIV Services in Lesotho - July 14, 2014
USAID and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) are pleased to announce the launch of a new USAID-funded project, Providing Universal Services for HIV/AIDS (PUSH) in Lesotho. This five-year, $62 million dollar program will provide resources to dramatically expand comprehensive and integrated HIV and AIDS care and treatment services to children and adults affected by HIV. 

New PLOS Collection on Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Released - July 13, 2016
PLOS launched a new collection of nine USAID-supported manuscripts which discuss new modeling to assess the impacts of focusing Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) programs on narrower client age groups and specific geographic areas. The collection, VMMC for HIV Prevention: New Mathematical Models for Prioritizing Sub-Populations by Age & Geography, can assist decision makers in making more informed decisions about which strategies and investments to prioritize to achieve their HIV incidence reduction goals.

WHO Launches INSPIRE: Seven Strategies for Ending Violence Against Children Technical Package - July 12, 2016
The World Health Organization launched the INSPIRE: Seven Strategies for Ending Violence Against Children Technical Package. The INSPIRE Package identifies a select group of strategies that have shown success in reducing violence against children.

USAID Announces Two New Awards for HIV Vaccine and Biomedical Prevention Research - June 30, 2016
Despite the impressive expansion of HIV care and treatment, the HIV epidemic remains a serious global health threat: 36.9 million people are currently living with HIV; nearly half of the 25.8 million people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are women; and 50 young women are infected with HIV every hour.

USAID and Global Partners Participate in the 2016 UN High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS – June 10, 2016
USAID joined partners, world leaders, and HIV and AIDS advocates on June 8–10, 2016, at UN Headquarters in New York City for the 2016 High-Level Meeting on Ending AIDS.

The Grim Prospect – May 21, 2016
When people hear about antibiotic resistance creating "superbugs", they tend to think of new diseases and pandemics spreading out of control. The real threat is less flamboyant, but still serious: existing problems getting worse, sometimes dramatically. Infections acquired in hospital are a prime example.

Delivering Life-Saving HIV/AIDS Drugs Around the World – May 13, 2016
For more than 10 years, USAID has been the lead agency innovating in supply chain management – procuring and delivering drugs and laboratory supplies to hospitals and clinics across the globe to achieve an AIDS-free generation.

USAID-supported TestBKK Delivers Bangkok's Biggest Gay-Oriented Sexual Health Campaign during Songkran Holiday in Thailand – April 12, 2016
TestBKK, APCOM's Bangkok-based HIV testing and sexual health campaign, aims to deliver free HIV testing to gay individuals who are celebrating Songkran, the Thai New Year, in Bangkok. Funded through USAID's LINKAGES project and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, TestBKK's campaign also provides people with other key sexual health knowledge such as information relating to PrEP and PEP.

New Tool Improves HIV Prevention Programs for Transgender People – April 6, 2016
A new USAID-supported tool was launched today to enable governments, public health officials, program managers, non-governmental organizations, and health workers to create and improve HIV prevention programs for transgender people.

Equipping Health Workers to Achieve an AIDS-free Generation – April 5, 2016
In honor of World Health Worker Week, the Office of HIV/AIDS Health Workforce Team recognizes the tireless efforts of facility- and community-based health workers to achieve an AIDS-free generation and advocates that the international community continue to invest in them in this Impact Blog.

Twelfth Annual Report to Congress on PEPFAR (2016)
Since 2003, with the extraordinary investment of Congress, PEPFAR has helped halt the relentless escalation of new HIV infections and mortality rates across the globe. PEPFAR has saved millions of lives and prevented millions more HIV infections by providing core HIV prevention and treatment services, changing the very course of the HIV pandemic.

Adherence to ARVs Key to Reducing HIV Drug Resistance – March 1, 2016
As a lead partner to the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Organisation for Public Health Interventions and Development and USAID are supporting 22 high-burden districts and 22 hotspots in Zimbabwe.

New Antiretroviral Ring Safely Reduces HIV Infection by 31 Percent – February 22, 2016
A new vaginal ring providing sustained release of the antiretroviral dapivirine was shown to help reduce the chance of HIV infection during vaginal sex among women ages 18 and older. USAID, through the United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, provided $25 million in support for the trial and ring licensure.

Innovative HIV-Prevention Product for Women Could Be New Tool in the Fight for an AIDS-Free Gen – February 22, 2016
Results released at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Boston show we are one step closer to having a new prevention tool exclusively for women that fits within the context of their lives.

USAID Chief Hails ARVs in the HIV/AIDS Fight – December 9, 2015
The USAID country representative in Botswana, Blake Chrystal, has credited the use of anti-retroviral therapy in the global milestones achieved in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic fight so far.