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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 NAPWHA.

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.NAPWHA's involvement at all levels of the Australian response to HIV is an expression of the GIPA principle.

Listening to those not on treatment

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 7 March 2013

In this current climate of pro-treatment, people who are not taking antiretroviralA medication or other substance which is active against retroviruses such as HIV. therapy (ART) can feel like a minority whose voice is not being heard.

This is why NAPWHA has partnered with researchers Limin Mao and Henrike Körner from the National Centre in HIV Social Research to conduct interviews with people who are currently not on ART. read more »

Our combo-prevention future

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 24 November 2011
HIV in Australia

In his opening address at the conference, Graeme Brown, AFAO’s outgoing President, acknowledged the enormous challenges we are facing in Australia at the moment, midway through our Sixth National HIV Strategy. read more »

NAPWHA's policy on research

Policy paper • Sean Slavin • 22 September 2011

NAPWHA regularly receives requests to endorse or support research in the area of HIV. Such support may take the form of active involvement as an investigatorA medical researcher in charge of carrying out a clinical 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. 's protocolA study plan on which all clinical trials are based. The plan is carefully designed to safeguard the health of the participants as well as answer specific research questions. A protocol describes what types of people may participate in the trial; the schedule of tests, procedures, medications, and dosages; and the length of the study. While in a clinical trial, participants following a protocol are seen regularly by the research staff to monitor their health and to determine the safety and effectiveness of their treatment ., help in designing a research project or simply assistance with recruitment. NAPWHA recognises the importance of research to improving the health and well-being of PLHIVPerson (or people) Living with HIV. This term is now preferred over the older PLWHA. and in most cases is willing to provide support where it is able. read more »

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,” NAPWHA president Robert Mitchell has told today’s opening ceremony of the 21st Australasian HIV/AIDS Conference. read more »

From PLWHA to PLHIV

Story • Robert Mitchell • 10 June 2009

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

20 years of one voice

Positive Living article • Adrian Ogier • 5 June 2009

NAPWHA 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 »

NAPWHA Positive Women endorse new Terms of reference (TOR)

Story • Scott Lockhart • 30 January 2008

NAPWHA 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 NAPWHA 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 »

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HIV Clinical Trials update