Despite the remarkable strides made in HIV prevention and treatment over the past 40 years, a decline in international funding and political commitment is threatening to stall progress in the global HIV response. With an estimated 1.3 million people newly infected with HIV each year, the United Nations’ ambitious goals to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030 appear uncertain, and the disease continues to mount enormous costs to health, economic security and social structures. . 

This Think Global panel will examine the current state of the HIV response from multiple perspectives, including persistent challenges to HIV prevention, funding and policy gaps, and the impact of stigma and discrimination. The panel will also address the barriers low- and middle-income countries continue to face in accessing the promising innovations in HIV prevention and treatment and, as well as the structural inequalities that undermine an equitable HIV response in the U.S. and globally. Organized by DGHI director Chris Beyrer and inaugural Hock Fellow Jirair Ratevosian, the event will reconsider the priorities for HIV research, policy and care that are needed to help reignite progress in the global efforts to end HIV/AIDS.

SPEAKERS

Chris Beyrer, MD, MPH, an internationally recognized epidemiologist who has worked on the front lines of HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 treatment and research, became director of the Duke Global Health Institute in August 2022. Beyrer has led collaborative research on HIV epidemiology, prevention and treatment in Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Eastern Europe and Central Asia for more than 30 years. He is past president of the International AIDS Society, the world’s largest body of HIV professionals, and currently serves as an advisor to the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the HIV Vaccine Trials Network, the World Health Organization, and Physicians for Human Rights. The author of over 400 scientific papers, he was named in 2022 to the annual list of the world’s most cited scientists. 

Dorothy Dow, MD, MSc, is a  physician-scientist whose research focuses on prevention and treatment of HIV in pediatric populations including prevention of mother-to-child transmission and adolescent and young adult populations.  Her current projects target the intersection of HIV treatment adherence and mental health.  She is co-director of the Duke Center For AIDS Research Clinical Core, member of the Adolescent HIV Prevention and Treatment Implementation Science Alliance (called AHISA), co-developer of Sauti ya Vijana (SYV-The Voice of Youth), a peer-led, group based mental health intervention for YLWH in Tanzania, and co-chair of IMPAACT 2016, Evaluating a Group-Based Intervention to Improve Mental Health and ART Adherence Among Youth Living with HIV in Low Resource Settings.

Emily Gibbons, MPP, is the senior director of international government affairs and policy at Gilead Sciences with over 20 years of experience in global health policymaking on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Department of State, and the private sector. Gibbons is a strategic professional with expertise in public health, pharmaceuticals, public affairs, policy analysis, and partnership development with governments, multilateral organizations and NGOs. She has extensive experience in negotiating policy related to appropriations and authorizing legislation.

Jirair Ratevosian, DrPH, is a senior global health security and development leader with over 20 years of experience in public service, non-profit, private sector and diplomacy. His extensive expertise in forging partnerships with governments and international organizations, drafting legislation, and developing political coalitions with diverse stakeholders have advanced evidence-based policies for minority communities, increased global health financing, and advanced solution to solve complex global challenges. In 2018, Jirair was selected as a “40 under 40 Health Leader” for his achievements to tackle health disparities in the United States, and was one of 50 LGBTQIA+ experts in U.S. national security and foreign policy recognized by “Out in National Security” in 2021. 

This is a hybrid event with both in-person and remote attendance options. Attendance in person is encouraged. Lunch will be available.