Research Focus
Photo: James Pursey |
There are numerous pressing research issues that may hold the keys to eliminating pediatric HIV. For example: In the absence of any treatment for either the mother or the baby, 60 percent of babies born to HIV-positive mothers do not become infected with HIV. Why? Answering questions like this could uncover new means of preventing mother-to-child transmission of the virus.
Further research is essential to the global elimination of pediatric HIV. In an effort to address the above question, and many others, the Foundation’s research priorities include the following areas:
Preventing HIV Transmission from Mother to Child
Photo: Jon Hrusa |
The Foundation continues to sponsor research that addresses the “whys and whats” of HIV transmission from mother-to-child. For instance: Why don't all HIV-exposed babies become infected? What protects babies who breastfeed from their HIV-positive mothers?
The Foundation is also committed to research that will lead to an HIV vaccine suitable for use in infants and children. The development of a preventive vaccine that protects infants from HIV infection would have a profound and dramatic effect on the current state of the pandemic. A successful vaccine could set the stage for life-long protection for millions of children around the world, helping create the first generation free of HIV.
The Foundation’s pediatric HIV vaccine research initiative is focused on the following areas:
- Understanding the mechanism of mother-to-child transmission of HIV during the breastfeeding period;
- Understanding pediatric immune responses to HIV;
- Identifying and evaluating potential HIV vaccine candidates for pediatric populations; and
- Overcoming obstacles to conducting clinical trials in infants.
Learn more:
Download our pediatric HIV vaccine issue brief.
Optimizing Delivery of Health Care Services
Photo: Georgina Goodwin |
The Foundation conducts operations research to evaluate the effectiveness of our programs under real-world conditions, while ensuring that HIV prevention, care, and treatment services are reaching as many women, children, and families as possible. Our operations research efforts specifically focus on:
- Developing better ways to provide long-term health care for mothers and children living with HIV;
- Developing effective and replicable PMTCT service delivery models; and
- Assessing ways to improve cost-effectiveness of HIV-related health service delivery.
Browse our current research.
Collaborating with Scientists Worldwide
The Foundation recognized long ago that to continue answering questions about pediatric AIDS and the transmission of HIV from mother to child, we must continue to expand our global pool of basic and clinical scientists.
To that end, the Foundation established
several prestigious research award programs to fund up-and-coming scientists as well as established leaders in the fight against pediatric HIV.