A Year of Action in 2023

January 11, 2023

Dear Advocate,

At AVAC we saw tremendous work to accelerate HIV prevention and invest in global health resilience in 2022, and the year ahead will require critical advocacy to keep the field on track. What does this mean?

Our year-end letter, HIV Prevention and Equity in 2022 & Beyond, explores in depth the many initiatives, resources and collaborations that powered advocacy in 2022 — a historic juncture for HIV and global health. The field is facing a turning point where the right commitments in funding, policy and programming in 2023 could put the world on track to hit 2025 targets, end HIV as a public health threat by 2030, and lay a solid foundation for global health security against future pandemics.

The world finds itself at this moment because of the convergence of the approval of two new biomedical options for HIV prevention— the dapivirine vaginal ring (DVR, or the ring) and injectable cabotegravir for PrEP (CAB for PrEP)— with the launch of critical new strategies to advance HIV prevention from PEPFAR , the Global Fund, the Global HIV Prevention Coalition, and The Coalition to Accelerate Access to Long-Acting PrEP. All this in the context of a growing consensus and commitments to invest in pandemic preparedness and strengthen health systems.

In 2023, advocacy must meet the moment. Here’s just a sample of what AVAC’s preparing for in the weeks and months ahead.

Access Access Access

Accelerated planning and engagement with the Coalition to Accelerate Access to Long-Acting PrEP and pushing key action steps for comprehensive and effective delivery of injectable CAB everywhere it’s needed.
Taking action across our partnerships to establish the policies, budgets and programs that will deliver the ring to women who need it and want it.

Funding: Innovation and Expansion

Defining a robust advocacy agenda for PEPFAR’s multi-year reauthorization starting in 2023.
Supporting partners to help shape priorities for the Global Fund, the Pandemic Fund, PEPFAR country operational plans (COPs).

The Research Pipeline

Tracking the trials on injectable lenacapavir as PrEP and t he Dual Prevention Pill, and engaging in the development of next-generation PrEP options.
Translating developments in research on HIV vaccines and broadly neutralizing antibodies, including possible results from the Mosaico vaccine trial, the application of mRNA technology and new approaches to research and trial design.
Advancing a research agenda for the prevention of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including greater investment in STI vaccine development.

People Centered Advocacy

Advancing the reach of the GPP guidelines by compiling a body of evidence on GPP’s value, impact, and best practices as a key resource for partners and for clinical research broadly.
Watch-dogging the status of the HIV research agenda for: trans and gender diverse people, pregnant and breastfeeding populations, and other key populations.
Engaging with new leadership at the National Institutes of Health and National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to deepen collaboration with civil society, community and advocacy leadership.

Key Dates for January and February
Pull out your calendars for the first three months of 2023, these convenings will help shape your advocacy for the rest of the year.

Jan 26: The Choice Agenda webinar: Trans Inclusion: Charting HIV Research into the Future: A Manifesto and Scorecard for Advocates and Researchers, at 10 am. Register
Feb 13: CROI is coming! Join The Choice Agenda and partners for the February 13 webinar "Ready, Set, CROI 2023 - Prepare for the 30th Year of CROI".
Stay tuned for the Margarita Breakfast Club series of three webinars highlighting the latest in science presented at CROI, open to all, held during the CROI conference, Feb 20 - 22.
Feb 19-22: Whether or not you are attending CROI, AVAC will have you covered as we track the research and the advocacy. Plus, we’ll have recordings from the Margarita Breakfast Club, for a curated discussion with CROI researchers.

Buckle up and lean in, let’s make 2023 an unforgettable year of collaboration and solutions.

Best,
AVAC