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While quite different from past years’ conferences, the Coalition was excited to attend AIDS 2020 this month. This convening, in particular, is a useful indicator of progress in efforts to reach all children affected by AIDS. After all, it was at this very conference, back in 2004, when a group of global health leaders came together to drive increased focus on this vulnerable population—and the Coalition was formed.
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We were pleased to see some signs of progress evident from this year’s dialogue. For example, in the plenary session on paediatric HIV, the World Health Organization’s Martina Penezzato called for many of the same actions for which the Coalition has long advocated. In his opening of the COVID-19 conference, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus focused on the need for more support for children affected by HIV and AIDS. And, the need for community-based and holistic approaches was echoed across the conference, including by U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Deborah Birx.
Unsurprisingly, COVID-19 colored the conference conversations. The pandemic has permanently changed the landscape in which we operate and has set us back significantly in the fight against HIV and AIDS. The impact on children is vast and includes a lack of schooling, socialisation, and increased risk for abuse and violence. This context makes the Coalition’s mission more critical than ever. Community-led responses, holistic support, and a focus on those facing social and structural exclusion are critical in effectively combatting both COVID-19 and HIV and AIDS.
We don’t yet know the full physical effect of COVID-19 on children, but we must prepare for long-term impact. We must learn from our experience with HIV and AIDS, where a lack of focus on children at the start—and the misperception that the disease did not affect them—was a major failing that continues to hamper the response. Today, children still lag far behind in the necessary long-term research and resourcing. We must not make this same mistake with COVID-19.
Clearly, this is just a brief overview of AIDS 2020; there is much more to process and we look forward to continuing this conversation. Most importantly, we look forward to continued progress in efforts to reach all children.
Enjoy the rest of your summer and please be safe and well in the coming days,
Corinna Csaky, Coalition Manager
@childrenandHIV on Twitter and Instagram
#ReachAllChildren
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Delivering an Integrated Approach for Adolescent Mothers Affected by HIV and Their Children
The Coalition and ViiV Healthcare Positive Action co-hosted an AIDS 2020 satellite intended to further a shared vision and advocacy agenda for adolescent mothers affected by HIV and their children. Along with a lineup of impressive speakers, the Coalition's Ambassador, Miriam, shared her own advocacy priorities, and those of other young mothers across Uganda, in a compelling message to session attendees. We invite you to watch the discussion, in its entirety, here.
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Prize for Excellence in HIV Research Related to Children
The Coalition and the International AIDS Society once again co-sponsored the Prize for Excellence in HIV Research Related to Children, and Coalition member, Professor Loraine Sherr, participated in the judging panel. Sayward Harrison, from the University of South Carolina, won the prize for work on resilience-based interventions on the psychosocial well-being of children affected by HIV/AIDS. Read more about her research here.
Transforming Testing, Treatment, and Care
UNICEF hosted a satellite, Business Unusual, chaired by their Executive Director, Henrietta Fore. The session examined new technologies that have the potential to transform HIV testing, treatment, and care of children and adolescents affected by HIV and AIDS.
Perspectives of Young People Living with HIV
EGPAF hosted a satellite called Getting to an AIDS-Free Generation: Perspectives of Young People Living with HIV to share a cross-continental youth dialogue on identifying and understanding barriers and charting a better path forward for young people in the fight to end AIDS and to reduce stigma.
Addressing HIV and AIDS in the Context of COVID-19
Frontline AIDS ran three key interactive dialogues in its virtual booth—Sustain, Adapt, and Protect—looking at how to address HIV and AIDS in the context of COVID-19.
HIV-Exposed Uninfected Children
Coalition Learning Associates, Kate Powis and Amy Slogrove, were amongst the organisers of the 6th International workshop on HIV-exposed Uninfected Children, a two-day workshop examining the latest evidence and looking at issues around disclosure.
These and many more key events that took place at AIDS 2020 are captured in the Roadmap on Children and Adolescents created by UNICEF, available here.
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Nurturing Care for Children Affected by HIV
The World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health have launched a new policy brief on Nurturing Care for Children Affected by HIV. This critical document sets out why nurturing care is so important for enabling children to survive and thrive, what it involves, and what actions are required to deliver it.
HIV-Affected Adolescent Mothers and Their Children in Sub-Saharan Africa
The World Health Organization also launched the formal report of the Learning Session, co-hosted with the Coalition, looking at what action is required to better support adolescent mothers affected by HIV and their children.
The Dollars and Sense of Effective Grantmaking at HIV 2020
Several Coalition Members, including ViiV Healthcare and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, took part in a dialogue on The Dollars and Sense of Effective Grantmaking at HIV 2020. The full recording is available here.
Tackling Stigma and Discrimination
Coalition Member RIATT-ESA has launched a consultation on promising practices for tackling stigma and discrimination amongst adolescents and young people living with HIV.
Conversations with Reaching All Children Challenge Grant Winners
The Coalition partnered with ViiV Healthcare’s Positive Action Challenges to identify how social protection is being combined with HIV support in order to improve HIV outcomes in children and adolescents. Eight winners have documented their innovations by producing either a scientific article or case study, which will be rolled out later in 2020. In the meantime, the Coalition has produced a brochure and blog series with the winners.
Dual Pandemics: Global Youth Perspectives on Fighting HIV and COVID-19
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), a Coalition Member, joined the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate for a conversation with youth leaders from Africa and the United States. They discussed the realities that young people face in managing their HIV, continuing their medications, adapting peer support, and confronting COVID-19 and HIV, as these two pandemics impact our communities simultaneously. Watch the recording here.
Mothers, Children, and the Terrible Choice Between COVID-19 and Other Infections
EGPAF President and CEO, Chip Lyons, and President of Friends of the Global Fight, Chris Collins, co-authored a recent piece on Think Global Health about the agonising choice faced by pregnant women and mothers in many parts of the world: risking exposure to coronavirus in order to access lifesaving medicines or foregoing these critical treatment and prevention measures in order to avoid COVID-19. Read the article here.
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Global Fund Strategy Consultation
The Global Fund launched its open consultation on the development of a post-2022 strategy. As COVID-19 radically alters global health, politics, and economics, while impacting those affected by HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, it is critically important to develop this strategy to be highly effective, agile, and collaborative. Provide your input through the online form on the Strategy Development web page or by email at StrategyDevelopment@theglobalfund.org.
Dialogues on Children and Adolescents Affected by HIV and AIDS
HIV 2020 is holding several important dialogues in August relating to children and adolescents affected by HIV and AIDS. Time is Running Out for Children Living with HIV!—co-hosted by GNP Plus and several Coalition Members, including PATA, UNICEF, Aidsfonds, and the International Community of Women Living with HIV—will take place on August 18th at 3pm CET. On August 11th, Young People are Leading the Way, hosted by Y+, will take place. Please look at the HIV 2020 website for further information.
Community-led Organisations in the Context of COVID-19
UNAIDS has called for the role of community-led organisations to be appropriately recognised and supported in the context of COVID-19. Specifically, they must be factored into all aspects of planning, design, and implementation of interventions to combat both COVID-19 and the efforts required to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on other health areas, including HIV and tuberculosis. Read more about UNAIDS-specific calls to action for governments here.
The Impact of COVID-19 on HIV
A modelling group, convened by WHO and UNAIDS, estimates that pandemic-related disruptions to HIV services for six months could cause more than 500,000 additional deaths from AIDS-related illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa in 2020–2021. Gains made in preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission could also be reversed. Learn more here.
How COVID-19 is Affecting the Global Response to AIDS, TB, and Malaria
Global Fund survey data shows that 80% of countries are experiencing HIV health service delivery disruptions. Friends of the Global Fight is tracking the intersection of COVID-19 and AIDS, TB, and malaria. Regular updates are available on Friends’ website.
Protecting Human Rights During COVID-19
Following recent statements by UNAIDS and other global stakeholders expressing concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic is being used to target marginalised and criminalised populations, Funders Concerned About AIDS, the Global Philanthropy Project, and UHAI-EASHRI convened stakeholders for a conversation on what this means for the lived realities of our communities and the global response to HIV and AIDS. A recording of the webinar is available here.
Health of Adolescent Girls and Young Women Globally
Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, CARE International, Global Health Council, and International Center for Research on Women recently held a briefing, entitled Health as a Catalyst for Women’s Equality: An Agenda for Action. The event highlighted the health needs for adolescent girls and young women, how COVID-19 is disproportionately impacting the health and well-being of women and girls, and action steps U.S. Members of Congress can take to increase AGYW’s access to health services. Watch the full video here.
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