On Thursday, leading researchers, including EGPAF Vice President for Research Dr. Laura Guay and global health experts, met to share with an audience of Senate staffers and nongovernmental organizations the latest information on the science behind eliminating HIV. Organized by EGPAF, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and the Foundation for AIDS Research (AMFAR), "Where are we in ending the AIDS Epidemic?: An Update on the Science" provided a thorough overview of the current state of the AIDS pandemic, from pediatric HIV to male circumcision to vulnerable populations most affected by the virus. Keep reading
Last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched new, consolidated HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention guidelines, which include recommendations for lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women (referred to in previous guidelines as Option B+) in order to reduce mother-to-child transmission rates. Learn more about how the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) helped support the country in its effort to adopt Option B+ earlier this year-ahead of the official WHO guidelines launch. Keep reading
Around the world and in our own backyard, women are fighting for the rights of women and girls and for an AIDS-free generation. One of these women is Serra Sippel, president of the Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE), a Washington, D.C.-based nongovernmental organization (NGO) whose mission is to “promote the sexual and reproductive health and human rights of women and girls globally by shaping the development and implementation of U.S policies.” Keep reading
For many reasons, a number of Basotho people still find it difficult to access health services offered at traditional health facilities. Additionally, non-communicable diseases are often not a major focus of the national health system. Following discussions with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and USAID, EGPAF initiated Family Health Days (FHDs) to bring HIV prevention, care, and treatment services to remote areas, as well as to identify and appropriately manage non-communicable diseases and provide integrated primary health care services at the community level. Keep reading
According to data from the Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS), 90 percent of pregnant women currently receive antenatal care (ANC). While this is a commendable statistic, it should be noted that this figure is down from 94 percent in 2005-2006 – and only 19 percent of these women schedule time for ANC during the first three months of pregnancy. Keep reading
Ndhiwa district in Homa Bay County of Kenya’s Nyanza region was once infamous for HIV prevalence rates of up to 35 percent in 2010. But over the last 18 months, the district has reduced new HIV infections among children born from HIV-positive pregnant mothers netted through antenatal clinic visits to less than five percent. Keep reading
This weekend at AIDS 2012, EGPAF Ambassador Florence Ngobeni-Allen attended an event hosted by UNAIDS, ONE, the Business Leadership Council, and the Nelson Mandela Foundation called Uniting for an AIDS-Free Generation.
The special evening brought together heroes in the fight against AIDS to celebrate the return of the International AIDS Conference to the United States for the first time in more than two decades. Inside, Florence provides a detailed recap of the evening. Keep reading
