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** What’s New on AVAC.org and PrEPWatch!
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February 20, 2020

Dear Advocates,

In case you missed them, this round-up includes links to updates on PrEP and the vaccine field, advances on pioneering work using human-centered design to inform prevention programs, and essential resources for advocates focused on PEPFAR’s COP planning process, opportunities to engage on the issues of next generation trial design and resources that arm you for smart advocacy in 2020 at large.

Dive Into Next Generation Trial Design at CROI
Join our participatory dialogue on next generation trial design! Advocates, researchers and community members will discuss what’s on the table for next-generation HIV prevention trials, including design, regulatory and ethical considerations and mechanisms for community engagement. Co-hosted by AVAC, The Fenway Institute at Fenway Health ([link removed]) and The Forum for Collaborative Research ([link removed]) , on the sidelines of the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections ([link removed]) (CROI).
* Monday, March 9, 2020 6:30-9:00 PM ET
The Fenway Institute, 1340 Boylston St., Boston.
Register here! ([link removed])

The latest Updates on HVTN 702
On Feb 3, HVTN 702 trial leaders announced ([link removed]) that vaccinations would be stopped early because the vaccine candidate did not prevent HIV. Importantly, there were no safety concerns. To help advocates understand the results and the implications for the future of HIV vaccine development check out:
* AVAC’s dedicated page on HVTN 702 ([link removed]) , which features updated infographics, webinar recordings and more.
* Check out a recording of our latest webinar on 702 ([link removed]) , co-hosted on Wednesday, February 19 by AVAC ([link removed]) and APHA ([link removed]) . Speakers covered how the news has been communicated and absorbed on the ground, what’s next for HVTN ([link removed]) 702 ([link removed]) and how it fits into the larger landscape of vaccine research.


New Findings from Breaking the Cycle of Transmission
AVAC’s Anabel Gomez ([link removed]) and Shawn Malone ([link removed]) report on their research exploring the factors that influence decision-making among young women who are at high risk of HIV. Check out the chapter they authored, Understanding HIV prevention in high-risk adolescent girls and young women in two South African provinces ([link removed]) , in the 22nd edition of The South African Health Review (SAHR) 2019-12-31 ([link removed]) . And watch this recorded webinar discussion ([link removed]) , featuring this research—one in a monthly series on PrEP rollout produced by the PrEP Learning Network.
([link removed]) These research findings are part of the Breaking the Cycle of Transmission ([link removed]) project, conducted under AVAC and CHAI ([link removed]) ’s HIV Prevention Market Manager ([link removed]) (PMM) project.

Tools for Advocates Engaging with PEPFAR
This FAQ ([link removed]) on index testing—a testing approach that tracks the contacts of people who test positive for HIV—provides background on the issue and frames advocacy priorities. While index testing holds potential benefits if ethically done, it’s being implemented now in ways that cause harm and undermine human rights. Changes must be made to protect individuals and foster community trust in their healthcare system.

New factsheets on PEPFAR’s performance and funding by country are now available. They are produced by amfAR ([link removed]) as part of our Coalition to build Momentum, Activism, Solidarity & Strategy Africa (COMPASS Africa) ([link removed]) , and found on amfAR’s PEPFAR Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Database ([link removed]) ! You’ll find details on funding by program area, testing program results, key population size estimates and more. Be sure to search by country and find a downloadable fact sheet on the upper right of each country page.

How Does PrEPWatch Work for You?
Calling all PrEPWatch users! Help us understand how the website is being used, what tools and resources you find most useful, and how we can improve with this 3-minute survey ([link removed]) . Your responses are highly valued and will be kept confidential.

Advocacy Priorities in 2020
The latest episode of AVAC’s podcast, Px Pulse ([link removed]) , lays out AVAC’s view of the state of the field in light of certain failure to meet UNAIDS Fast-Track targets ([link removed]) by the 2020 deadline. In this episode of Px Pulse, AVAC’s Emily Bass ([link removed]) and lead author of our report Now What? ([link removed]) talks about AVAC’s blueprint for course correcting. Tune in to learn more!

Best,
AVAC

P.S. The latest figures are up on AVAC’s Global PrEP Tracker ([link removed]) .

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