NAPWA

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 »

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 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 »

“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 »

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 »

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

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 »

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 »

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 »