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Involvement of positive people

The idea that the personal experiences of people living with HIV could and should be translated into helping to shape a response to the AIDS epidemic was first voiced in 1983 at a national AIDS conference in the USA. In Australia, this same idea was a rallying cry for HIV-positive people attending the 1988 National AIDS Conference in Hobart – the event that led to the founding of NAPWA.

At the Paris AIDS Summit in 1994, 42 countries – including Australia – declared the Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV and AIDS (GIPA) to be critical to ethical and effective national responses to the epidemic.

Today the GIPA principle is the backbone of many interventions worldwide. People living with, or affected by HIV are involved in a wide variety of activities at all levels of the fight against AIDS; from appearing on posters, bearing personal testimony, and supporting and counseling others with HIV, to participating in major decision- and policy-making activities.NAPWA's involvement at all levels of the Australian response to HIV is an expression of the GIPA principle.

Address to the Australasian HIV/AIDS Conference

Story • Robert Mitchell • 9 September 2009

“HIV prevention must be supported from an evidence base of best health promotion practice and with respect for the rights and dignity of those living with HIV,” NAPWA president Robert Mitchell has told today’s opening ceremony of the 21st Australasian HIV/AIDS Conference. read more »

HIV Seroconversion Study

Story • Jill Sergeant • 6 August 2009

The HIV Seroconversion StudyA clinicalPertaining to or founded on observation and treatment of participants, as distinguished from theoretical or basic science. trialA clinical trial is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase I tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase II expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase III expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IV takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. is a research study to answer specific questions about vaccines or new therapies or new ways of using known treatments. Clinical trials are used to determine whether new drugs or treatments are both safe and effective. Carefully conducted clinical trials are the fastest and safest way to find treatments that work in people. Trials are in four phases: Phase IA clinical trial designed to establish whether an experimental drug is safe for humans to take. Phase I studies determine the metabolism and pharmacologic actions of drugs in humans, the side effects associated with increasing doses, and look for early evidence of effectiveness; these studies may include either people with HIV, HIV-negative volunteers, or both tests a new drug or treatment in a small group; Phase IIA smaller clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective. Phase II studies are conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug for a particular indication or indications in patients with the disease or condition under study and to determine the common short-term side effects and risks. If there is evidence that the drug is effective, a Phase III study is undertaken, with a larger number of participaants, to confirm this. expands the study to a larger group of people; Phase IIIA large clinical trial designed to establish whether a drug is effective and safe enough for widespread use. Phase III studies include expanded controlled and uncontrolled trials after preliminary evidence suggesting effectiveness of the drug has been obtained, and are intended to gather additional information to evaluate the overall benefit-risk relationship of the drug and provide and adequate basis for physician labeling. expands the study to an even larger group of people; and Phase IVPost-marketing studies to delineate additional information including the drug's risks, benefits, and optimal use. takes place after the drug or treatment has been licensed and marketed. is a study of men who have been recently infected with HIV. It will provide valuable information for health promotion efforts and may be used in the development of health promotion materials for gay and other men who have sex with men. read more »

From PLWHA to PLHIV

Story • Robert Mitchell • 10 June 2009

NAPWA’s decision to move away from using the term ‘HIV/AIDS’ to ‘HIV’ (and from ‘PLWHA’ to ‘PLHIV’) has generated some debate. NAPWA president Robert Mitchell explains the reasons behind the change. read more »

20 years of one voice

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 5 June 2009

NAPWA turned 20 the other day and we threw a party. I’m not usually big on parties but this one was different. It felt like everyone was having the birthday and unlike those just-for-the-sake-of-it once-a-year affairs we all really deserved a celebration . . . read more »

NAPWA Positive Women endorse new Terms of reference (TOR)

Story • Scott Lockhart • 30 January 2008

NAPWA positve women have recently endorsed new Terms of reference for the advisory group. read more »

Prevention is everybody’s business

Positive Living article • Robert Mitchell • 1 December 2007

This year’s World AIDS Day theme presents an opportunity for people living with HIV to talk about our role in response to the HIV epidemic in this country, writes NAPWA President Robert Mitchell. read more »

IAS Conference opens with spotlight on politics

Story • Paul Kidd • 23 July 2007

The 4th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention has opened in Sydney with calls for increased funding for HIV research, and a powerful rejection of the Australian Prime Minister's plans to tighten restrictions on immigration by people living with HIV/AIDS. read more »

Rising HIV levels: why we should care and what we can do

Positive Living article • Paul Kidd • 22 March 2007

HIV infections are on the rise nationwide, and the government is planning an advertising blitz aimed at gay men. If HIV is making a comeback, should positive gay men care? And if we do care, what can we do? read more »

Many faces, different stories

Positive Living article • Paul Kidd • 21 December 2006

The 19th World AIDS Day was marked across Australia on December 1, with speeches, concerts, and warnings about increasing numbers of new infections. read more »

Reflections on the 2006 IAC Conference in Toronto

Positive Living article • John Rock • 5 October 2006

While there has been “slow but useful progress on many fronts,” the global response to HIV/AIDS is still too slow and too weak, writes JOHN ROCKread more »

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HIV Clinical Trials update