24 Hours to Save AIDS Research

On September 16, over 70 scientists, advocates, and community organizers—including Greg Millett, amfAR VP and director of public policy, and Dr. Annette Sohn, VP and director of amfAR’s TREAT Asia program—participated in a 24-hour livestream to highlight advancements in HIV/AIDS research and reasons for reversing recent U.S. funding cuts.

Over the past several months, the U.S. administration has slashed budgets and halted domestic and international projects related to HIV research, treatment, and prevention programs. As a result, four decades of progress toward ending AIDS is now at risk.

The “24 Hours to Save AIDS Research” campaign laid out reasons for why HIV research is important not only to the well-being of people living with and impacted by HIV but also to nurturing the next generation of HIV researchers, developing a cure for HIV, and addressing other pandemics. amfAR is one of 40 organizations that have endorsed the campaign.

Participants from around the world shared data and insights. As part of the lead-off panel, “Why Should We Care About HIV Research?”, Millett discussed the various ways that HIV research has helped people with other diseases and conditions.

Thanks to HIV research, scientists have developed drugs to treat certain cancers, prevent and treat hepatitis B and C, and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and the loss of brain function after a stroke. The urgent need to develop diagnostic tests for HIV produced a revolution in NAAT [nucleic acid amplification test] diagnostics, including PCR tests, used to detect COVID-19, tuberculosis, and meningitis, among other diseases.

“What this really shows is that, overall, research saves lives—but, more importantly, HIV research saves all lives,” Millett said in conclusion.

Drawing on research from the TREAT Asia program, Dr. Sohn shared examples of HIV studies—all funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH)—that may have significance beyond populations in the Asia-Pacific region. The studies are examining HIV treatment outcomes for children and adults, testing a simpler assessment of mental health conditions, and looking at biomarkers to predict the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

“Collaborations like the TREAT Asia network can help to leverage data collected in Asia to improve the comprehensiveness of regional and global HIV research studies,” said Dr. Sohn. “All of this is made possible through the support we receive through the U.S. government, the NIH, and amfAR…. We hope we will be able to continue this work in the future.”

The campaign’s website offers ways to support AIDS research and other vital HIV programs, including contacting representatives on Capitol Hill, enlisting organizations in the campaign, and signing The People’s Declaration, a call for research to include people living with HIV in meaningful ways, champion science, and implement diversity, equity, and inclusion in its practices.

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