Fast-Track Cities 2023 Announcement

IAPAC, CITY OF AMSTERDAM ANNOUNCE FAST-TRACK CITIES 2023 CONFERENCE

Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS (January 27, 2023) – The International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) and the City of Amsterdam held a joint event today, along with public health authorities and local community representatives, to officially announce the Fast-Track Cities 2023 conference will be held September 25-27, 2023, in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Launched on World AIDS Day 2014 with 26 initial cities signing the Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities, the Fast-Track Cities network today counts more than 500 cities worldwide committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3 of ending the HIV and tuberculosis (TB) epidemics, and the World Health Organization (WHO) goals of eliminating HBV and HCV, by 2030. The City of Amsterdam was among the first 26 cities to join the Fast-Track Cities network in 2014 and is one of three Dutch Fast-Track Cities along with Rotterdam and Utrecht. In 2022, the City of Amsterdam was also recognized with an IAPAC “Circle of Excellence Award” in recognition of the work advanced by the H-Team (HIV Transmission Elimination Amsterdam), whose aim is to get to zero new HIV infections in Amsterdam by 2026.

The Fast-Track Cities 2023 conference will provide a space for interactive dialogue and facilitate the collaborative development of innovative approaches to ending HIV and TB, as well as eliminating HBV and HCV. The conference will feature a distinguished faculty from across the Fast-Track Cities network, convened under the theme, “Integration and Inclusion for Impact,” reflecting the importance of an integrated approach to urban HIV, TB, and viral hepatitis responses that prioritizes inclusivity in health and social care. The topic of the conference’s high-level panel will be “Inclusivity as Driver: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities in Implementing SDG 11.”

“To reach the goal of zero new HIV infections in 2026 does not mean that we will be ‘done’ with HIV. We have to keep considering the possibility of new HIV infections. The only way to achieve this goal is that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) will be easily accessible for everyone who is at risk,” said Ms. Shula Rijxman, Amsterdam’s Deputy Mayor whose administrative portfolio includes public health, disease prevention, care, and social development. “Also, there are still 6,000 people living with HIV in Amsterdam. Until HIV is curable, this is still a group of Amsterdam citizens who need to have access to appropriate care and that we stand for.”

“Given Amsterdam’s exemplary HIV response and the commitment of a broad range of stakeholders in this city with a deep grounding in community engagement and leadership, I am honored to formally announce that we will convene the Fast-Track Cities 2023 conference in Amsterdam,” said Dr. José M. Zuniga, President/CEO of IAPAC and the Fast-Track Cities Institute. “In convening the full network of Fast-Track Cities in one of our ‘Circle of Excellence’ cities, we aim to highlight the network’s progress but also strategize around cross-cutting challenges to ending urban HIV and TB epidemics and eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030.” Click here to read his remarks at the announcement event.

The conference will offer an opportunity for dialogue and cooperation between elected officials, public health department officials, clinical and service providers, urban health experts, and civil society advocates from current and prospective Fast-Track Cities. This year’s conference will be the fourth in-person gathering of the global Fast-Track Cities network. The Fast-Track Cities 2022 was hosted in Sevilla, Spain, and attracted more than 550 in-person and 1,800 online attendees.

The Fast-Track Cities 2023 conference is organized by IAPAC, in partnership with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Stop TB Partnership, World Hepatitis Alliance, and Fast-Track Cities Institute. The conference is made possible through corporate sponsorships from Gilead Sciences, Merck Sharp & Dohme, and ViiV Healthcare. Other pending corporate sponsorships will be announced shortly.

For information about the conference and/or to register online, visit:

https://www.iapac.org/conferences/fast-track-cities-2023/

To access the Fast-Track Cities 2022 conference summary report, visit:

https://www.iapac.org/fast-track-cities-2022-summary-conference-report/

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About Fast-Track Cities
Fast-Track Cities is a global partnership between more than 500 cities, the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the City of Paris. The partnership’s aim is to end urban HIV epidemics by getting to zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths, and zero HIV-related stigma. Launched on World AIDS Day 2014, the partnership also advances efforts to end tuberculosis (TB) epidemics and eliminate viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) in urban settings by 2030. For more information about the Fast-Track Cities initiative, please visit: https://www.fast-trackcities.org

About the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care
Representing 30,000 members, IAPAC is the largest association of clinicians and allied health professionals working to end the epidemics of HIV and tuberculosis (TB), as well as eliminate HBV and HCV, by 2030. IAPAC is also a core technical partner to the Fast-Track Cities network and the Secretariat for its Fast-Track Cities Institute. For more information about IAPAC, please visit: https://www.iapac.org/

About the Fast-Track Cities Institute
The Fast-Track Institute was created to support cities and municipalities worldwide in their efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3 (ending the epidemics of HIV and TB), the World Health Organization goal of eliminating HBV and HCV, and SDG 11 (making cities and municipalities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable). For information about the Fast-Track Cities Institute, please visit: https://www.ftcinstitute.org/

Sevilla Declaration on the Centrality of Affected Communities in Urban HIV Responses Unveiled at Fast-Track Cities 2022 Conference

11 OCTOBER 2022 (Sevilla, Spain) – At a Fast-Track Cities 2022 conference reception held this evening at the Royal Alcazar Palace, several Mayors and a Deputy Governor in attendance were joined virtually by peers from across the Fast-Track Cities network to sign their names to a declaration aimed at defining and facilitating the placement of affected communities at the center or urban HIV responses.

The Mayors of Blantyre (Wild Ndipo), Kingston (Delroy Williams), Libreville (Issa Malam Salatou), Quezon City (Ma. Josefina Belmonte), and Sevilla (Antonio Muñoz Martínez) signed the Sevilla Declaration on the Centrality of Affected Communities in Urban HIV Responses (Sevilla Declaration) along with Johannesburg Mayor (Dada Morero), New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and other Mayors who participated via video or virtually.
The Deputy Governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (Dr. Tavida Kamolvej) also affixed her signature to the declaration during the Sevilla ceremony, and a representative from GGD Amsterdam signed on behalf of that city’s Mayor (Femke Halsema). Multiple county and provincial officials from Fast-Track Cities in other countries also signed the declaration via video or virtually.
Moreover, Mayors and representatives from an additional 22 Fast-Track Cities in Spain signed the declaration. Of note, the reception’s signing ceremony was witnessed by Carolina Darias, Minister of Health of Spain, in whose country more than 150 cities have joined the Fast-Track Cities network, with Sevilla having been the first Spanish city to sign the Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities Ending the HIV Epidemic in 2015.

According to Dr. José M. Zuniga, President/CEO of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care and the Fast-Track Cities Institute, the Sevilla Declaration will supplement the Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities, which more than 400 cities and municipalities worldwide have signed since the network’s launch in 2014, thus joining the Fast-Track Cities network. The new declaration includes 10 commitments Fast-Track Cities are asked to make that range from safeguarding the dignity and rights of communities affected by HIV to meeting the United Nations goals for community-led HIV responses.

“An amorphous and overly malleable term such as ‘placing people at the center’ of the HIV response has little effect if it can be interpreted in a million different ways or worse actioned as mere tokenism that disenfranchises those whose voice at the table and leadership are critically needed,” said Dr. Zuniga. “The 10 commitments that Fast-Track Cities are making in signing the Sevilla Declaration reflect an important step forward in clearly defining, operationalizing, and facilitating what we mean by ‘placing people at the center’ of urban HIV responses at a time when it is most critical to do so.”

The Sevilla Declaration was shaped by organizations representing people living with HIV, including the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), as well as through regional listening sessions involving local communities of people living with HIV across the Fast-Track Cities network. Also providing input were the four core partners of the Fast-Track Cities initiative: IAPAC, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the City of Paris.

“The Sevilla Declaration provides structure for communities of people living with HIV to more formally play a leadership role in HIV responses at city and municipal levels,” said Sbongile Nkosi, Co-Executive Director of GNP+, which formally endorsed the declaration at the Fast-Track Cities 2022 conference. “We talk a lot about ‘placing people at the center of the HIV response,’ but the Sevilla Declaration does more by articulating commitments local governments and institutions must make to create the space for and empower people living with HIV and their community-based organizations to lead urban HIV responses.”

In its Global AIDS Strategy, 2021-2026, UNAIDS emphasizes the critical nature of community engagement and leadership to regain momentum against HIV that was lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through its advocacy on community engagement, UNAIDS has consistently stressed that the call for “nothing for us without us” must be made more than just a slogan.

“In line with the Global AIDS Strategy and the Sevilla Declaration, empowering and integrating community engagement is the cornerstone to ending AIDS and having people at the center of the response, said UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director for Programme, Eamonn Murphy.

Click here to access the Sevilla Declaration.

NOTE: The Fast-Track Cities 2022 conference reception was hosted by the Ayuntamiento de Sevilla, International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), Fast-Track Cities Institute, and Fast-Track Sevilla, with support from Gilead Sciences.

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About Fast-Track Cities

Fast-Track Cities is a global partnership between more than 450 cities, the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the City of Paris. The partnership’s aim is to end urban HIV epidemics by getting to zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths, and zero HIV-related stigma. Launched on World AIDS Day 2014, the partnership also advances efforts to end tuberculosis (TB) epidemics and eliminate viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) in urban settings by 2030.

About IAPAC

Representing 30,000 members, IAPAC is the largest association of clinicians and allied health professionals working to end the epidemics of HIV and tuberculosis, as well as eliminate HBV and HCV, by 2030. IAPAC is also a core technical partner to the Fast-Track Cities network and the Secretariat for its Fast-Track Cities Institute. For more information about IAPAC, please visit: https://www.iapac.org/

About the Fast-Track Cities Institute

The Fast-Track Institute was created to support cities and municipalities worldwide in their efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3 (ending the epidemics of HIV and TB), the World Health Organization goal of eliminating HBV and HCV, and SDG 11 (making cities and municipalities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable). For information about the Fast-Track Cities Institute, please visit: https://www.ftcinstitute.org/

About GNP+

The Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) is a network for people living with HIV, run by people living with HIV. GNP+ engages with and supports national and regional networks of people living with HIV to ensures that its global work is grounded in local experiences and priorities. The meaningful involvement of people living with HIV is at the heart of all GNP+ does. Using the power of evidence-based advocacy, GNP+ also challenges governments and global leaders to improve access to quality HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services. For more information about GNP+, please visit: https://gnpplus.net/

About UNAIDS

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners towards ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. For information about UNAIDS, please visit: https://unaids.org/

Six Cities and a Ukrainian Community-Based Organization Recognized at Fast-Track Cities 2022 Conference

11 OCTOBER 2022 (Sevilla, Spain) – At a Fast-Track Cities 2022 conference reception held this evening at the Royal Alcazar Palace, six Fast-Track Cities and 100% Life, a Ukrainian community-based organization, received 2022 “Circle of Excellence Awards” and the “Community Leadership Award,” respectively, in recognition of their political, public health, and community leadership.

Earlier this year, the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) and Fast-Track Cities Institute (FTCI), in collaboration with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), launched a nomination process to identify cities from six geographic regions whose work exemplifies the Fast-Track Cities mission. Both IAPAC and UNAIDS are core partners of the Fast-Track Cities initiative, which was launched in 2014 and today comprises more than 400 cities engaged in ending their urban HIV epidemics by 2030. The six cities selected to receive the 2022 “Circle of Excellence Awards” include:

Asia-Pacific: Quezon City, Philippines
Europe: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Latin America/Caribbean: Kingston, Jamaica
North America: New York City, NY, USA
Southern/Eastern Africa: Johannesburg, South Africa
Western/Central Africa: Lagos State, Nigeria

The Mayors of Quezon City (Ms. Ma. Josefina Belmonte), Kingston (Mr. Delroy Williams), and New York City (Mr. Eric Adams) accepted their cities’ 2022 “Circle of Excellence” awards in-person (Mayors Belmonte and William) and via video (Mayor Adams). Public health department officials accepted awards on behalf of Amsterdam, Johannesburg, and Lagos State.

100% Life was recognized both for its efforts during the ongoing war in Ukraine, as well as that of other community-based organizations in that country who have advanced humanitarian and public health efforts on behalf of Ukrainians living with and affected by HIV. Ms. Valeria Rachynska, who is Human Rights, Gender, and Community Development Director at 100% Life, accepted the 2022 “Community Leadership Award” on behalf of her organization and partner organizations across Ukraine.

“Political, public health, and community leadership are at the heart of the Fast-Track Cities movement and are integral to averting AIDS-related deaths, stemming new HIV infections, and eliminating HIV-related stigma,” said Dr. José M. Zuniga, President/CEO of IAPAC and FTCI, which launched the two awards at the Fast-Track Cities 2021 conference. “Congratulations to 100% Life and the six cities honored for their exemplary leadership. May they serve as an inspiration for other community-based organizations and cities as they respond to their urban HIV epidemics with bold leadership.”

“Among the lessons that we have learned in tackling HIV is the need for bold political leadership, global solidarity, ensuring communities are at the center of the response, and a commitment to human rights. This has been true for COVID-19 and will be true for other pandemics to come,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Ending inequalities is the most effective way to ensure that we are more prepared for the next pandemic. We look to city leadership to do this.”

In 2021, the “Circle of Excellence Awards” recognized five Fast-Track Cities: Bangkok, Thailand; London, England, UK; Nairobi City County, Kenya; San Francisco, CA, USA; and São Paulo, Brazil. The 2021 “Community Leadership Award” recognized GAT, a community-based organization providing health and social services to people living with and affected by HIV in Portugal.

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About Fast-Track Cities

About IAPAC

About the Fast-Track Cities Institute

About UNAIDS

IAPAC Announces Fast-Track Cities Progress on World AIDS Day and Initiative’s 7th Anniversary

Several Cities Sign PARIS DECLARATION ON FAST-TRACK CITIES
Fast-Track Cities Report Updated 90-90-90 Targets Data
Data Dashboards Launched for Several Fast-Track Cities
IAPAC Releases HIV Policy Brief on 90-90-90 Best Practices

WASHINGTON, DC (December 1, 2021) – As the world marks the 34^th World AIDS Day, the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) today announced progress across the Fast-Track Cities network on the 7^th anniversary since the network’s launch on World AIDS Day 2014. In addition to IAPAC, the network’s three other core partners include the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat), and the City of Paris.

On and around World AIDS Day 2021, a dozen new cities joined the Fast-Track Cities network, bringing the total to more than 380 cities worldwide whose mayors or provincial governors have signed the Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities. The network’s new members include cities such as Harare (Zimbabwe), Perth (Australia), Pittsburgh (USA), and Luxembourg (Luxembourg). In total, 64 existing Fast-Track Cities also reported updated 90-90-90 data on World AIDS Day 2021 regarding the percentage of people living with HIV (PLHIV) who know their status (1^st 90 target), percentage of PLHIV who know their HIV status and are on antiretroviral therapy (ART; 2^nd 90 target), and percentage of PLHIV on ART who achieve viral suppression, meaning the virus is undetectable and therefore cannot be sexually transmitted (3^rd 90 target). Of the 64 cities, 19 reported 90-90-90 data for the first time since joining the network. Of the 47 cities that had previously reported data, 45 cited improvements in one or more of the 90 targets since the year in which they reported baseline data. Moreover, Blantyre (Malawi), Florence (Italy), and Nairobi City-County (Kenya) reported they had surpassed the targets (90-92-90, 95-97-97, and 93-99-94, respectively).

“Whether measured by the continued geographic expansion of the Fast-Track Cities network or continued momentum to attain and surpass the 90-90-90 targets, we have witnessed over the past seven years the power of sustained multistakeholder engagement in urban HIV responses that place communities at the center of the progress made in ending their HIV epidemics,” said Dr. José M. Zuniga, President/CEO of IAPAC and its Fast-Track Cities Institute. “We are proud of the agility and resilience shown by more than 380 cities that are committed to acting locally to realize the goal of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

IAPAC is assisting Fast-Track Cities to transition their data reporting from the 90-90-90 targets around which the initiative initially focused to more ambitious 95-95-95-95 targets in the new UNAIDS Global AIDS Strategy (2021-2026). These targets translate into 95% of PLHIV knowing their status, 95% percent of those who know their status taking ART, and 95% of those on ART achieving viral suppression. These three updated targets are augmented with a fourth new target of 95% of at-risk individuals using combination HIV prevention, including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). These data will be visualized on data dashboards on which Fast-Track Cities report their data annually. On World AIDS Day 2021, IAPAC launched three new data dashboards for the cities of Austin/Travis County, TX (USA), Durham/Durham County, NC (USA), and Las Vegas/Clark County/Nevada (USA).

In parallel, IAPAC released “Best Practices for Attaining and Surpassing 90-90-90 from Select Fast-Track Cities,” the first in a series of HIV policy briefs that will document best practices in relation to policies, programs, and strategies that are successfully closing gaps across HIV prevention and treatment continua. The brief released today focuses on five Fast-Track Cities – Bangkok (Thailand), Lagos State (Nigeria), London (UK), San Francisco (USA), and São Paulo (Brazil) – with best practices related to attainment of 90-90-90 targets as well as addressing stigma and improving quality of life for an aging cohort of PLHIV. The policy brief was made possible through support from Gilead Sciences.

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About Fast-Track Cities
Fast-Track Cities is a global partnership between more than 380 cities, the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the City of Paris. The partnership’s aim is to end urban HIV epidemics by getting to zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths, and zero HIV-related stigma. Launched on World AIDS Day 2014, the partnership also advances efforts to end tuberculosis (TB) epidemics and eliminate viral hepatitis (HBV and HCV) in urban settings by 2030. For more information about the Fast-Track Cities initiative, please visit: https://www.fast-trackcities.org

About the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care
Representing 30,000 members, IAPAC is the largest association of clinicians and allied health professionals working to end the epidemics of HIV and tuberculosis, as well as eliminate HBV and HCV, by 2030. IAPAC is also a core technical partner to the Fast-Track Cities network and the Secretariat for its Fast-Track Cities Institute. For more information about IAPAC, please visit: https://www.iapac.org/

About the Fast-Track Cities Institute
The Fast-Track Institute was created to support cities and municipalities worldwide in their efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3 (ending the epidemics of HIV and TB), the World Health Organization goal of eliminating HBV and HCV, and SDG 11 (making cities and municipalities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable). For information about the Fast-Track Cities Institute, please visit: https://www.ftcinstitute.org/

IAPAC Hosting 16th Annual Conference Focused on Optimizing HIV Prevention and Treatment Adherence

Orlando, Florida (November 7, 2021) – The International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) will host its 16th annual conference of HIV prevention and treatment adherence (Adherence 2021) over the next three at days the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel in Orlando, Florida. With almost 200 in-person attendees expected in a conference venue in strict compliance with social distancing and current health regulations, and almost 1,000 participants expected online, the hybrid format of the conference will enable IAPAC to include more participants in this annual event during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Adherence 2021 conference will focus on state-of-the-science evidence, best practices, and the real-world implementation of behavioral, clinical, structural, and other interventions to maximize the therapeutic and preventative effects of antiretroviral agents. The conference will also provide a forum for discussion and presentation of implementation science focused on closing evidence-to-practice gaps across the HIV prevention and care continua, as well as community engagement in planning, implementing, and monitoring HIV responses in affected communities.

“Although hosted in hybrid format, Adherence 2021 is no less robust than past conferences. We are featuring measures taken to mitigate the disruptive effects of COVID-19 on HIV responses, but also exploring innovations in the prevention and treatment of HIV, including long-acting antiretrovirals,” said IAPAC President/CEO Dr. José M. Zuniga. “Ultimately, we are convening to ensure that we optimize HIV care and treatment continua with the aim of ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.”

Conference highlights will include a Keynote Address from Dr. Meg Doherty, Director of Global HIV, Hepatitis, and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Programs at the World Health Organization (WHO). She is joining a conference faculty that includes clinicians, behavioral scientists, policy makers, and community representatives from around the globe.

The Adherence 2021 conference is taking place two weeks after the IAPAC-hosted Fast-Track Cities 2021 conference held October 20-22, 2021, in Lisbon, Portugal, also in a hybrid format. That conference drew more than 400 in-person participants and over 1,800 participants online. According to Dr. Zuniga, the number of participants for both hybrid conferences attests to the appeal of this format, since invited speakers and participants can join in conference activities even if they are not able to travel to the venue.

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About the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care

Fast-Track Cities 2021 Conference Recognizes Excellence Among Cities, Allies, Sponsors

THE FAST-TRACK CITIES 2021 CONFERENCE RECOGNIZES EXCELLENCE AMONG CITIES, ALLIES, SPONSORS

Five awards recognize excellence among cities striving to end their urban HIV epidemics.
Three additional awards made to a community partner and two corporate partners.
A Lifetime Achievement Award granted to former US PEPFAR Amb. Deborah L. Birx, MD.

Lisbon, Portugal (October 22, 2021) – The Fast-Track Cities Institute recognized excellence among cities, allies, and sponsors by handing out nine awards at the Fast-Track Cities 2021 conference, hosted by the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), in partnership with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). The awards recognized five Fast-Track Cities, a community partner, and two corporate sponsors. Additionally, a Lifetime Achievement Award was given to the former head of the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

Launched on World AIDS Day 2014, the Fast-Track Cities initiative is committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.3 of ending the HIV and tuberculosis (TB) epidemics, and the World Health Organization (WHO) goals of eliminating HBV and HCV, by 2030. The Fast-Track Cities 2021 conference, a hybrid event held in Lisbon, Portugal, this year and via an online platform, convened more than 1,500 participants both virtually and in-person to exchange best practices about how to accelerate the responses to HIV, TB, and viral hepatitis.

Five cities were designated as part of a “Circle of Excellence” marking exceptional progress in acting locally to achieve global goals and targets: Bangkok, Thailand; London, England; Nairobi City-County, Kenya; San Francisco, US; and São Paulo, Brazil.

The Grupo de Ativistas em Tratamentos (GAT) was given a Community Partner Award in recognition of their contributions towards Lisbon’s success in ensuring that 98% of people living with HIV are aware of their status and thus linked to care and treatment.

ViiV Healthcare received a Corporate Pioneer Partner Award recognizing their early (2015) and ongoing support of the Fast-Track Cities initiative.

Gilead Sciences received a Corporate Community Engagement Award for its support of community activities in Fast-Track Cities.

Dr. Deborah L. Birx, former US Global AIDS Coordinator and head of PEPFAR, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award recognizing of her years of public health leadership and with a special mention of her support for a data-informed, equity-based approach to ending the HIV epidemic.

“The Fast-Track Cities Institute and our Secretariat, IAPAC, are immensely proud to honor Fast-Track Cities, allies, and sponsors for helping to maintain momentum in efforts to end urban HIV and TB epidemics and eliminate HBV and HCV,” said Dr. José M. Zuniga, President/CEO of the Fast-Track Cities Institute and IAPAC. “The successes achieved across the Fast-Track Cities network, and the ability to shatter the status quo that condemns too many people to unnecessary suffering and death, is made possible by individuals and institutions that are advancing the cause of urban health, including in relation to HIV, TB, and viral hepatitis.”

“Since the start of the HIV epidemic, cities have been at the forefront, taking a leading role in national agendas and delivering for people most affected by HIV,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “We strongly encourage cities to continue their bold political leadership and coordination, strategic partnerships that engage people most affected by the disease, innovation to address gaps in medical and social services, and to accelerate responses that reflect local needs and respect human rights.”

Amb Dr. Deborah L. Birx added, “I am honored to receive this award, but more importantly I want to congratulate Fast-Track Cities for bringing together political leaders with affected communities to accelerate the HIV response. This initiative continually ensures people in need of HIV prevention or treatment services are reached, seen, and heard with compassion and support. Moreover, this initiative recognizes the intersection of policy and outreach to address structural barriers to accessing and utilizing comprehensive HIV services. I am grateful to organizations like IAPAC – they see a need, do not look away, and find ways to creatively have an impact on people’s lives.”

For more information on why each city received its award, check out the video clips below:

IAPAC Releases “LGBTI+ Health Equity: A Global Report of 50 Fast-Track Cities” Confirms Glaring Inequities across LGBTI+ Communities

275 key informants from 50 cities participated in the first study allowing comparison of LGBTI+ health equity across four regions – Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe.
Study outcomes exposed health inequities and numerous other challenges facing LGBTI+ populations, including discrimination in criminal justice systems.
Report concludes with recommendations for local and national governments, providers of care and health systems, community-based organizations, and international actors.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (August 18, 2021) – Results from IAPAC’s groundbreaking study, LGBTI+ Health Equity: A Report of 50 Fast-Track Cities, were announced today during Copenhagen 2021 (WorldPride). The research, which gathered data from four geographic regions, focused on urban LGBTI+ health equity through surveys of 275 key informants who work closely with LGBTI+ populations in 50 cities.

Among the study’s revelations was the fact that no region came close to perfect on LGBTI+ health equity indicators, including quality of life, access to care, or nondiscrimination. Moreover, the average global quality of life score for LGBTI+ communities across the 50 cities was 3.2 on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent). In terms of access to care, globally, HIV-related services scored a 3.8 on a scale of 1 to 5, but mental healthcare scored just 2.8 and gender-affirming care scored 2.7.

“We cannot adequately address HIV and other health conditions without including LGBTI+ populations, and we cannot adequately serve LGBTI+ populations unless we understand the diversity and complexity of these communities and their needs,” said Dr. José M. Zuniga, President/CEO of IAPAC and the Fast-Track Cities Institute, and the study’s senior investigator. “Those of us working in the field of health and in any other topic area relevant to LGBTI+ health equity must recommit ourselves to working holistically to end the disparities these communities face.”

The report also revealed the clear lack of disaggregated data on LGBTI+ individuals, particularly populations beyond sexual minority men. And, while the research showed a marked resilience among LGBTI+ communities in each of the cities studied, the underlying stigma, discrimination, and lack of visibility that perpetuate health and other inequities remain largely the same around the world.

LGBTI+ Health Equity: A Report of 50 Fast-Track Cities was made possible by a grant from ViiV Healthcare. To download the report: https://bit.ly/3iU5mwn.

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About the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care

IAPAC is the largest association of clinicians and allied health professionals working to end the epidemics of HIV, tuberculosis, and viral hepatitis by 2030. IAPAC is also a core technical partner of the Fast-Track Cities initiative and the Secretariat for its Fast-Track Cities Institute (https://www.ftcinstitute.org/). For more information about IAPAC and our global activities, please visit: https://www.iapac.org/

IAPAC Influences Call for New ‘Global Public Health Convention’ to Emphasize Importance of City Public Health Leadership

IAPAC Influences Call for New ‘Global Public Health Convention’ to Emphasize Importance of City Public Health Leadership

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for re-thinking the public health leadership model that has traditionally governed pandemic preparedness and responses, according to the authors of a Lancet Public Health article entitled, “A Global Public Health Convention for the 21st Century,” which was published May 6, 2021, in the Lancet Public Health journal. In the article, Dr. José M. Zuniga, President/CEO of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), joined a multidisciplinary group of 20 global public health experts to make 10 recommendations to shape a new public health architecture, including the active engagement of cities.

Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, IAPAC has documented the impact of city public health leadership in relation to urban COVID-19 responses, but also in maintaining a continuity of HIV and other health services. At its Fast-Track Cities 2020 virtual conference (September 7-9, 2020). Dr. Zuniga promoted “city multilateralism” to empower elected and public health leaders to take action in response to emerging disease outbreaks and other public health threats, including existing pandemics such as HIV. Rather than waiting for national governments to develop comprehensive plans, the Lancet Public Health article’s co-authors suggest that city leaders should work directly with each other, nation-states, and global health organizations to harness collective public health action, including risk mitigation efforts that, among other priorities, address policies that are not grounded in science.

“It is hard to conceive of a more opportune time to pursue the long-overdue objective of reinforcing our global public health infrastructure given the painful lessons we have collectively learned in the lead up to and during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Zuniga. “The International Health Regulations (IHRs) governing this infrastructure lack accountability or enforcement mechanisms, even after the superspreading outbreaks of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and to a lesser extent the Ebola virus. Beyond revising the IHRs to make them enforceable, we also call for actioning a key lesson learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, which is that city leadership is critical to plan for and support pandemic preparedness and responses. We call on public health leaders to move with alacrity to draft, approve, and implement a new Global Public Health Convention that adequately safeguards humanity from a future global pandemic.”

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About the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care

With more than 30,000 members globally, IAPAC is the largest association of clinicians and allied health professionals working to end the epidemics of HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and viral hepatitis by 2030. IAPAC is also the core technical partner of the Fast-Track Cities initiative and the Secretariat for its Fast-Track Cities Institute.

IAPAC Awards 10 Implementation Science Grants Under Auspices of Fast-Track Cities Implementation Science Fund

IAPAC Awards 10 Implementation Science Grants Under Auspices of Fast-Track Cities Implementation Science Fund

In a first round of grant-making, the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) has awarded 10 grants to support implementation science studies under the auspices of its Fast-Track Cites Implementation Science Fund. The grants were awarded to researchers in 10 Fast-Track Cities, including Bangkok, Bishkek, Delhi, eThekwini, Johannesburg, Kampala, Kyiv, Lusaka, Nairobi, and New Orleans.

“IAPAC is proud to support researchers across the Fast-Track Cities network to conduct implementation science studies evaluating interventions that can ‘move the needle’ as far as HIV prevention and care continua optimization,” said Dr. José M. Zuniga, IAPAC’s President/CEO. “We look forward to disseminating outcomes from the 10 funded studies so that all Fast-Track Cities are informed and can implement interventions that have a positive impact on urban HIV responses.”

The emerging field of implementation science explores questions around improving public health, by promoting the adoption of effective interventions, policies, and strategies in a variety of real-world settings. The geographically diverse grantees include community-based organizations, research centers, and academic institutions. Following is a list of Round 1 grantees and their implementation science studies:

AFEW with Yale University: Implementing the NIATx Rapid Change Treatment Improvement Model in Bishkek by Developing a “Regional Collaborative” to Create Improved, Sustainable Models of OAT Delivery that Focus on HIV/addiction Treatment Integration, HIV Prevention and OAT Expansion, and Guide Expansion of the NIATx Model in Kyrgyzstan
Alliance Global: A Peer-Driven Intervention to Increase HIV Testing with Linkage to Prevention, Care, and Support for Ukrainian Men who have Sex with Men with Elevated Risk for HIV in Kyiv City
Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation Uganda: Determining the Effectiveness of Dispensing Messages on Adherence and Viral Suppression among Children with an Unsuppressed Viral Load in Uganda
Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia: Adapting the Social Network Strategy to Re-Engage Loss to Follow-Up among Key Populations in HIV Care in Lusaka, Zambia: A Mixed Methods Implementation Science Study
Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa: Identifying Healthcare System Barriers and Solutions to Improve Implementation of Community ART Delivery during and beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic in eThekwini
Ikageng Itereleng AIDS Ministries (South Africa): Optimizing Uptake of and Adherence to PrEP amongst Female Sex Workers and Young Women (15-24) at Ikageng Community Centers
Institute of HIV Research and Innovation (Thailand): National Health Security Office’s Same-Day ART Policy to Support the Implementation of Same-Day ART in Community-Based Organizations
Kenyatta National Hospital: Understanding Current Nairobi Viral Load Monitoring Systems, Identifying and Addressing Potential Gaps in Implementation, and Establishing a City-County-Level Collaborative Network to Identify Program-Level Indicators for Viral Load Monitoring
New Orleans Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center: Using the ADAPT-ITT framework to adapt the Denver Same-Day PrEP Model to the New Orleans setting and develop an implementation plan for the Rapid PrEP Initiative at the LSU-CrescentCare Sexual Health Center (SHC)
The Humsafar Trust: CHALO (Let’s Go) Delhi! Implementation Science Approach for Increasing HIV Testing Uptake among Online MSM in Delhi, India: Testing Acceptability, Feasibility, and Real-World Effectiveness of Virtual Interventions

Round 1 of the Fast-Track Cities Implementation Science Fund’s grant-making was made possible through grants from Gilead Sciences and ViiV Healthcare. An announcement regarding Round 2 grant-making will be made in the near future.

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About the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care

IAPAC Joins NACHC and 38 Other Organizations in Advocating COVID-19 Vaccine Reimbursement for FQHCs via Medicare and Medicaid

IAPAC Joins NACHC and 38 Other Organizations in Advocating COVID-19 Vaccine Reimbursement for FQHCs via Medicare and Medicaid

By Dashiell Sears, IAPAC Director of Advocacy and Public Policy

IAPAC has joined the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) and 38 other organizations in urging acting Director Liz Richter of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement COVID-19 vaccine reimbursement policies for federally qualified health centers (FQHCs).

The request outlines extenuating challenges related to ensuring timely and effective vaccine distribution specific to COVID-19, including vaccine storage capacity, staffing for longer vaccine site operations, IT needs, cleaning, patient transportation, increased outreach activities to vaccine hesitant communities. Other challenges related to alterations and rentals for temporary vaccine staging sites and other necessities for staff including PPE, and lost revenue for staff redeployment.

Medicare and Medicaid serve the most at-risk populations in highest need of COVID-19 protections. The current reimbursement is $28.39 for single-dose COVID-19 vaccines. For vaccines requiring two doses, the reimbursement is $16.94 for the first dose and $28.39 for the second dose. These reimbursements are scheduled to take 12-18 months for processing and repayment. Additionally, while providing critical services to Medicaid patients, many vaccine-only visits to FQHCs do not trigger a Medicaid bill covered under the Prospective Payment System to providers.

To ensure ongoing operations are funded, IAPAC, NACHC, and 38 other organizations made the following requests to the CMS:

For Medicare:

A COVID-19 interim payment based on the Medicare Part B physician payment fee schedule to ensure payments are provided before 2022; and
100% reimbursement for FQHCs for COVID-19 vaccine administration given the additional costs related to administering the vaccines.

For Medicaid:

Require states to cover COVID-19 vaccine administration as mandatory under an increase in repayments under new services or create an alternative payment methodology (APM);
Encourage states to propose APMs that adequately cover the increased administrative costs for COVID-19 vaccine distribution;
Provide flexibility for COVID-19 vaccine-only visits to trigger a billable visit; and
Retroactively reimburse FQHCs for the additional costs of COVID vaccinations should new policies be implemented.

IAPAC supports implementing these proposed policies and joins our partners in calling on the Biden Administration and the CMS to ensure adequate compensation is provided to FQHCs that serve vulnerable communities, including those most at risk of HIV infection and most in need of continuous HIV treatment, as COVID-19 vaccine distribution ramps up in hard-hit states.

Seven More Fast-Track Cities Surpass HIV 90-90-90 Targets

Seven More Fast-Track Cities Surpass HIV 90-90-90 Targets

Two Fast-Track Cities Report (Partial) Baseline TB 90-90-90 Data

Washington, DC, USA (December 1, 2020) – Six Fast-Track Cities in the United Kingdom – Aberdeen, Bristol, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Liverpool – as well as Berlin announced today that they have surpassed the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) HIV 90-90-90 targets, which are recognized as a starting point on a trajectory towards the goal of achieving zero new HIV infections and zero AIDS-related deaths.

The Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities calls for cities and municipalities to attain and surpass the targets, which translate into 90% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) knowing their status, 90% of PLHIV who know their status accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 90% of PLHIV on ART achieving viral suppression. Numerous studies have shown that achieving viral suppression has both a therapeutic and preventative effect, promising PLHIV a near-normal lifespan and preventing HIV transmission among serodiscordant couples.

Berlin, which signed the Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities in July 2016, is now the 12^th Fast-Track City in Europe to surpass the 90-90-90 targets by attaining 90-90-96. The progress of the six other UK cities follows London’s 2018 achievement of being the first Fast-Track City globally to surpass the 90-90-90 targets. Ultimately, so, too, did Amsterdam, Brighton and Hove, Manchester, and New York City. Of note, London also surpassed the UNAIDS HIV 95-95-95 targets in 2019, with 95% of PLHIV knowing their status, 98% of PLHIV who know their status accessing ART, and 97% of PLHIV on ART achieving viral suppression.

“Many Fast-Track Cities are making progress towards attaining and surpassing the 90-90-90 targets, with civic and public health leaders making tremendous efforts to maintain a continuity of HIV services during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said IAPAC President/CEO Dr. José M. Zuniga. “We are confident such efforts will go a long way towards continuing to close gaps across the prevention and care continua, including getting 12.6 million PLHIV who still do not have access to ART onto treatment and virally suppressed.”

HIV 90-90-90 Target Data Announced

IAPAC launched new data dashboards for three municipalities in the United States on World AIDS Day 2020, including Baton Rouge (Louisiana), Dallas County (Texas), and Minneapolis (Minnesota). Fast-Track City dashboards illustrate city and municipal baseline and annually updated HIV 90-90-90 data.

Fast-Track City	Know Status (1st 90)	On ART (2nd 90)	Virally Suppressed (3rd 90)
Baton Rouge, LA, USA (2018)	88%	N/A*	97%
Dallas County, TX, USA (2018)	81%	73%	88%
Minneapolis, MN, USA (2018)	87%	69%	88%

Following is a list of 32 other cities and municipalities that joined Baton Rouge, Dallas County, and Minneapolis in reporting new or updated HIV 90-90-90 data:

NORTH AMERICA

Austin, TX, USA: 100-80-72 (2016) to 89-79-90 (2018)
Charleston, SC, USA: 84-68-85 (2019 Baseline)
Denver, CO, USA: 84-NA-90 (2018) to 87-84-91 (2019)
Fulton County (Atlanta), GA, USA: 84-87-82 (2018) to 84-94-83 (2019)
Miami-Dade County, FL, USA: NA-64-93 (2018) to NA-67-93 (2019)
New Orleans, LA, USA: 87-75-89 (2018) to 87-72-94 (2019)
New York City, NY, USA: 93-90-92 (2018) to 93-90-92 (2019)
San Francisco, CA, USA: 94-79-94 (2017) to 94-80-94 (2019)
Washington, DC, USA: 87-78-85 (2018) to 87-78-85 (2019)

LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN

Kingston/St. Andrew, Jamaica: 93-53-66 (2018) to 93-54-72 (2019)

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Blantyre, Malawi: 85-88-92 (2019 Baseline)
Dakar, Senegal: 92-89-95 (2019 Baseline)
eThekwini, South Africa: 91-77-93 (2018) to 91-77-93 (2019)
Kampala, Uganda: 59-99-83 (2018) to 57-72-95 (July-September 2020)
Lagos, Nigeria: 66-99-84 (2018) to 78-80-62 (2019)
Lusaka, Zambia: 70-88-63 (2018 Baseline)
Windhoek, Namibia: 85-89-73 (2018) to 85-89-73 (2019)

ASIA-PACIFIC

Taipei, Taiwan: 80-92-96 (2018) to 86-95-97 (2019)

WESTERN, CENTRAL, EASTERN EUROPE

Aberdeen, UK: 92-99-93 (2019 Baseline)
Amsterdam, Netherlands: 95-94-96 (2018) to 95-93-96 (2019)
Bergamo, Italy: 94-89-95 (2019 Baseline)
Berlin, Germany: 88-94-95 (2018) to 90-96-96 (2019)
Brighton and Hove, UK: 93-99-99 (2018) to 94-99-99 (2019)
Bristol, UK: 92-98-98 (2018 Baseline)
Dundee, UK: 92-97-95 (2019 Baseline)
Edinburgh, UK: 92-98-96 (2019 Baseline)
Glasgow, UK: 92-99-94 (2019 Baseline)
Kyiv, Ukraine: 73-73-96 (2018) to 70-83-85 (Jan-Oct 2020)
Liverpool, UK: 92-99-97 (2018 Baseline)
London, UK: 95-98-97 (2018) to 95-98-97 (2019)
Manchester, UK: 91-97-94 (2017) to 91-98-97 (2018)
Seville, Spain: 85-98-95 (2018) to 87-99-93 (2019)

This is also the first year that Fast-Track Cities are reporting tuberculosis (TB) 90-90-90 target data on their Fast-Track City dashboards. Two cities and municipalities reported the data in 2020: Lusaka (Zambia) and Maputo (Mozambique). The targets are defined by the Stop TB Partnership as 90% of all people with TB on treatment (first- and second-line or preventative), 90% of key populations with diagnosed TB on treatment, and 90% of all people diagnosed with TB achieving treatment success.

Maputo (Quarter 1/2, 2020): 1^st 90 and 3^rd 90 TB targets = 62% and 84% (baseline)
Lusaka (Quarter 3, 2020): 3^rd 90 TB target = 89% (baseline)

“It is exciting to see for the first time TB data on the Fast-Track City dashboards. As more cities and municipalities report on TB, I believe these data will guide strong local advocacy and actions towards universal access to TB prevention and care services for all PLHIV. We look forward to further partner with IAPAC to push for real-time TB data based on the experience of the COVID-19 reporting systems in the cities and municipalities that are members of the Fast-Track Cities network,” said Dr. S. Sahu, Deputy Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership.

Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death among PLHIV, and over 1.4 million people die from TB every year. The Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities commits cities and municipalities to end their urban TB epidemics by 2030. IAPAC is a partner of the Stop TB Partnership in support of the Zero TB Cities initiative.

Fast-Track City dashboards are maintained and updated on the Fast-Track City Global Web Portal. Development of individual dashboards has been supported through grant funding from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, MAC AIDS Fund, Merck & Co., the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), US Agency for International Development (USAID), and ViiV Healthcare.

*N/A: Data are not currently generated by public health authorities

15-Year Anniversary: Adherence 2020 Goes Virtual

In a keynote address delivered to Adherence 2020 Virtual conference delegates, the Deputy Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Dr. Shannon Hader called upon global health leaders to implement a universal test-and-connect approach to reach the dual goals of curbing new HIV transmissions and stopping AIDS-related deaths by 2030.

“It takes a lot of leadership commitment to make it happen,” said Dr. Hader in an address that reviewed new research about how to encourage communities to adopt the universal test-and-connect approach. Dr. Hader added that the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has made the concept of community-wide HIV testing more widely understood and accepted among the general public.

Dr. Hader’s remarks followed an introduction by Dr. José M. Zuniga, President/CEO of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), which hosted the Adherence 2020 Virtual conference (15th International Conference on HIV Treatment and Prevention Adherence) on November 2-3, 2020.

“The optimization of healthcare delivery is critical to securing lasting progress in the global effort to end the HIV epidemic. Any disruption in access to antiretroviral medications, regardless of cause, can have serious consequences for anyone living with HIV,” said Dr. Zuniga. “Universal HIV test-and-connect approaches are vitally important to reach and surpass the global 90-90-90 targets within the context of COVID-19-related HIV service disruptions.”

The two-day live-streamed conference featured plenaries, panel discussions, and oral/poster abstract presentations across five tracks: Adherence, Combination HIV Prevention, Continuum of Care, Community Engagement, and Implementation Science.

For the first time in its 15-year history, the Adherence 2020 Virtual conference was held online to accommodate the ongoing public health restrictions related to COVID-19. The global COVID-19 pandemic was one of the key topics at the conference, as these restrictions have in some areas impacted access to and utilization of HIV services by people living with and affected by HIV.

Dr. Hader noted that although the genesis of the universal test-and-connect approach began even before World Health Organization (WHO) adopted it as a recommendation in 2015, the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has brought renewed focus on this approach and how it can be applied to other public health threats beyond HIV. Dr. Hader emphasized that a community-wide approach need not be uniform, and that the approach can be applied to defined populations within communities, but noted that the key to making these interventions effective ultimately requires support from a variety of stakeholders. Dr. Hader added that 2021 will be a “special year” for UNAIDS, as the United Nations’ dedicated agency focused on HIV defines service delivery and other targets for 2025 and how to get “back on track” for the 2030 goals.

Dr. Carol Ngunu spoke on an HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) panel from her experience at the Nairobi City-County Health Services in Kenya. Dr. Ngunu reflected on the persistent challenge of social stigma and how travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 epidemic in Nairobi City-County created an additional barrier, which caused a significant drop in the numbers of people reaching health clinics that offer HIV services, including PrEP. She recommended increasing the number of service delivery points, with the goal of creating “one-stop-shops” where people can access comprehensive healthcare services, ideally co-located with pharmacies, thereby reducing the time and distance between people and the services they need.

“One of the biggest barriers is stigma,” said Dr. Latesha Elopre who is an Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the United States. Dr. Elopre discussed a particular form of stigma, known as “PrEP stigma,” in which some people mistakenly believe that a person has HIV if they are taking PrEP medication. She also identified prohibitive cost, lack of insurance, frequency of visits, and transportation as additional barriers to comprehensive biomedical preventative care.

Elizabeth Foote, who works as a Clinical Services Manager at the Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust in the United Kingdom, opened a panel discussion about HIV treatment adherence with a presentation about “intentional non-adherence” to antiretroviral therapy. Clinicians have been working to understand this phenomenon, and the reasons why people might decide to stop taking their antiretroviral medications. While mental conditions are an important initial consideration for clinicians, said Foote, it is equally important to avoid language that creates a paternalistic dynamic between patient and health care provider. The key is to “maintain engagement” regardless of whether or not someone is adhering to their medication.

William Matovu spoke from his experience with the “U=U” public education campaign through the Love to Love Organization, which is based in Kampala, Uganda, and how the hopeful message of “treatment as prevention” can motivate people living with HIV to remain adherent to their antiretroviral medications. Matovu added that it is important to prevent “HIV colonialism” from leading to the assumption that people living with HIV in developing world countries cannot understand the science of HIV.

Dr. Asa Radix, Senior Director of Research and Education at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center and an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at New York University in New York City, NY, USA, addressed a community engagement-themed panel discussion about the value of community-led research that recognizes the full spectrum of HIV stakeholders at the local, national, and global levels. Dr. Radix highlighted in particular that transgender individuals remain under-represented in research studies, which can lead to unintended consequences, such as not being aware of potential contraindications for people who are also taking hormone therapy.

Presenter PowerPoint presentations are available on the Adherence 2020 Virtual archive page, and presentation and panel discussion videos from the conference are available on IAPAC’s YouTube channel.

Global Leaders Underscore Pandemic Preparedness at Virtual Fast-Track Cities 2020 Conference

Global Leaders Underscore Pandemic Preparedness at Virtual Fast-Track Cities 2020 Conference

Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), opened the Virtual Fast-Track Cities 2020 conference on September 9, 2020, on a cautious note, reminding the more than 1,500 online delegates that scientific progress against COVID-19 must rest on a solid foundation of evidence. Dr. Fauci emphasized that, although people living with HIV who are on effective treatment are not at increased risk of severe COVID-19 complications, people who have underlying co-morbidities are at an elevated risk. He expressed hope that a safe and effective vaccine would be approved soon.

“We would hope that by the time we get to the end of this calendar year that we would have a vaccine that is both safe and effective,” said Dr. Fauci, who noted that millions of vaccine doses are already being prepared once a candidate receives authorization. In response to a follow-up question about the intersection of politics and public health policy, he remarked, “you have to be able to function in the context of good public health practices, at the same time that it seems that everything is politicized.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci (NIAID) fielded questions from Dr. José M. Zuniga (IAPAC)

Dr. Fauci’s remarks followed a High-Level Panel, led by Lisbon Mayor Fernando Medina, to discuss the challenges of confronting transnational public health crises in urban settings with Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms; Mayor Josefina Belmonte, Quezon City, Philippines; Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, eThekwini, South Africa; and Mayor Geoff Makhubo, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Lisbon Mayor Fernando Medina spoke with Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms

The Virtual Fast-Track Cities 2020 conference is the second annual gathering of more than 300 cities and municipalities around the world that are committed to ending their HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and viral hepatitis epidemics by 2030. Progress towards this commitment has been interrupted by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused disruptions in HIV and other health services worldwide.

“IAPAC is proud of the healthcare workers who are putting themselves on the line to save lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the scientists and public health experts working to develop and prepare for the distribution of vaccines and treatments using time-tested trial and approval processes,” said Dr. José M. Zuniga, President/CEO of IAPAC, which is co-convening the Virtual Fast-Track Cities 2020 conference with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the Fast-Track Cities Institute.

Echoing an assertion he made in a commentary published in the journal AIDS Reviews, Dr. Zuniga indicated that the public health response to SARS-CoV-2 got a head-start by relying on the existing infrastructure that was built to end the HIV epidemic, but that leveraging that infrastructure served to disrupt a continuity of health services care for people living with HIV, TB, viral hepatitis, and other chronic diseases.

“In the midst of this global public health crisis, civic leaders at all levels of government are recognizing the urgent need to repair the cracks in our health infrastructure that have been laid bare by COVID-19 and to improve preparedness for future pandemics,” Dr. Zuniga added. “We cannot end any epidemic until everyone has equal access to the prevention, testing, and treatment services that are essential elements of the human right to health.”

The first day’s program included four cross-cutting plenaries focused on confronting the COVID-19 “infodemic” as a public health threat; addressing health disparities contributing to uneven COVID-19 outcomes in communities of color; facilitating the continuity of HIV and other health responses (e.g., TB, viral hepatitis); and addressing the fragility that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed in almost every health system worldwide.

The conference’s final day (September 10, 2020) featured clinical case studies from 18 Fast-Track Cities from around the world to illustrate public health leadership in responding to COVID-19 in urban areas. These case studies (including Atlanta, Bangkok, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Kigali, Kyiv, Lisbon, London, Lusaka, Maputo City, Mexico City, Milan, Melbourne, Montréal, New York City, Paris, São Paulo, and Yaoundé) reported on the latest data trends and disruptions to health services, highlighted innovations to maintain continuity of care for people living with HIV and other chronic diseases, and offered emerging insights about pandemic preparedness.

International public health experts called for the development of a new “global health order” during a closing panel representing UNAIDS; the World Health Organization (WHO); the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR); UNITE (a global network of national parliamentarians); and the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC).

Dr. Ren Minghui, World Health Organization (WHO) Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage and Communicable/Non-Communicable Diseases

“It is clear that COVID-19 will be with us for many more months to come,” said Dr. Ren Minghui, World Health Organization (WHO) Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage and Communicable/Non-Communicable Diseases. He highlighted a recent WHO survey from 91 countries, whose data indicated a diversion of healthcare personnel from existing duties (such as providing HIV and other essential services) and decreases in outpatient volume were among the top causes of disruptions to continuity of care.

During his closing remarks, IAPAC President/CEO Dr. José M. Zuniga said that, “Countries cannot hijack infrastructures created over many years for mature pandemics such as HIV and tuberculosis (TB) without a steep cost paid by people living with HIV and other diseases against which we have been making steady progress. He added that countries also “cannot siphon off funding for pandemic preparedness even as we confront economic recessions. Surely, we can prioritize realizing the right to health for all and the right to cities and municipalities as places that guarantee a decent and full life for all their inhabitants.”

Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite, Founder and President of the UNITE network of parliamentarians, proposed that “the current [COVID-19] pandemic presents an extraordinary opportunity to reorganize the global health order.” He spoke of the need for a “NATO for health” focused on the operational aspects of multilateral public health policy in lieu of the more diplomatic and technical focus of global institutions such as the WHO.

The Virtual Fast-Track Cities 2020 conference was convened by IAPAC in partnership with UNAIDS and the Fast-Track Cities Institute, and with sponsorship support from Gilead Sciences and ViiV Healthcare.

Highlights from Fast-Track Cities Case Studies

Public health experts and civic leaders from Atlanta, Bangkok, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Kigali, Kyiv, Lisbon, London, Lusaka, Maputo City, Mexico City, Milan, Melbourne, Montréal, New York City, Paris, São Paulo, and Yaoundé described how local communities have responded and adapted to the impact of COVID-19, especially with respect to people living with HIV, tuberculosis, and HCV.

Representatives from European cities said that they were generally able to harness innovations such as telemedicine to maintain health services, particularly for marginalized populations such as migrants, homeless people, and people who use drugs. Olena Lukashevych from the Kyiv City Public Health Centre in the Ukraine stressed that supply chain disruptions persist for the provision of personal protective equipment, medicines, and testing capacity.

Simon Ruth of Thorne Harbour Health in Melbourne, Australia, said that social media messaging has been one of the primary forms of communication during the severe lockdowns that have been seen recently, particularly in the state of Victoria where he operates. He noted that it is currently unclear to what extent reported declines in new infections of HBV (22%), HCV (22%), syphilis (5%), HIV (10%), and gonorrhea (20%) represent reduced use of testing services or actual declines in sexual activity.

Suilanji Sivile from the Rwandan Ministry of Health testified that although his country has so far avoided any “catastrophic” incidents, such as running out of supplies, the country has nevertheless been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that some people living with HIV in Kigali and across Rwanda have had to switch to alternative antiretroviral medications when their normal medicine is in short supply due to stock-outs.

Maputo City Council representative Bélia Nyambir Xirinda emphasized the role of creating safe spaces for people infected with and recovered from COVID-19, adding that although the capital city accounts for 25% of the confirmed cases in Mozambique, only 28 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19 across the country at large.

“The [COVID-19] epidemic has moved from more urban to more rural communities,” said Dr. Carlos del Rio of Emery University in Atlanta, GA, USA, who reported that although the State of Georgia has made tremendous progress, dropping to a current rate of 16 confirmed COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents, much work remains to end the public emergency locally and abroad. “The impact on HIV has not been as significant as we thought it would be,” said del Rio, however, he warned that underlying comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension remain a cause for concern regardless of a person’s HIV status.

“A lot of things that seemed impossible six months ago have now become possible,” said Dr. Anisha Gandhi of the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, who also said she believes the COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity for systemic change.

Global Experts Warn of COVID-19-Related HIV Service Disruptions

Global Experts Warn of COVID-19-Related HIV Service Disruptions

Over two days preceding the 23rd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2020), the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), in partnership with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC), hosted the sixth 90-90-90 Targets Update. Not surprisingly, COVID-19 loomed over most of the discussions related to progress, barriers, and opportunities for attaining and surpassing the targets at global, national, and municipal levels.

Representatives from UNAIDS, IAPAC, the World Health Organization (WHO), and U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), raised concerns about disruptions to health services for people living with HIV caused by the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We could have an additional 500,000 AIDS-related deaths, including [tuberculosis], by the end of the year if the severe disruptions were to continue for another six months,” said UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima during a conversation with IAPAC President/CEO Dr. José M. Zuniga on June 30, 2020, that focused on HIV, COVID-19, and health inequalities.

Ms. Byanyima added that cost must not become a barrier to treatment for people who acquire the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and renewed her advocacy for a “People’s Vaccine” against COVID-19, which more than 140 world leaders and public health experts are calling for, noting that “access to vaccines and treatments as global public goods are in the interests of all humanity.”

In opening the dialogue with Ms. Byanyima, Dr. Zuniga cited data from a recently completed IAPAC survey of more than 500 clinicians treating people living with HIV. The survey results revealed significant disruptions in access to critical HIV services, as well as an overall 53% repurposing of the HIV health workforce to manage COVID-19 across the 75 countries where the survey was fielded.

“Any disruption to HIV and health services can turn a local crisis into a humanitarian catastrophe, which we are all trying to avoid,” said Dr. Zuniga, who also spoke to the work that Fast-Track Cities are doing to mitigate HIV service disruption while coping with burgeoning local COVID-19 epidemics. “The global HIV community is focused on leveraging innovation, facilitating community engagement, and prioritizing human rights to mitigate potential harm to people living with and affected by HIV. Sustained access to quality health services is vital to ending the HIV and COVID-19 pandemics.”

In a second 90-90-90 Targets Update session focused on HIV and COVID-19 held on July 1, 2020, representatives from UNAIDS, WHO, and the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) discussed innovations that are being implemented to minimize HIV service disruptions.

Dr. Meg Doherty, Director of the WHO’s HIV, Hepatitis, and STIs Programs, offered insights from a recent survey of countries reporting partial or complete disruptions across 25 types of health services, including non-communicable disease diagnosis and treatment (69%). According to Dr. Doherty, part of the work that the WHO is advancing relates to understanding if there is a particular relationship between HIV and COVID-19. She added that although data indicate there is an increased risk of death due to COVID-19 among people living with HIV, ultimately, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension have thus far been associated with the most severe disease complications and increased mortality.

“Bigger disruptions are seen in routine immunization (up to 70%), family planning, and certainly antenatal care, and these are also important for people living with HIV, because these are important entry points,” said Dr. Doherty. “We know that people are not coming to services and that we have to get those services back up and running in a safe manner.”

Differentiated service delivery, multi-month drug dispensing of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, and telemedicine platforms were among the innovations cited by Dr. Angeli Achrekar, Principal Deputy US Global AIDS Coordinator, during a presentation about PEPFAR’s efforts to maintain the continuity of HIV services in more than 50 countries.

“Ensuring continuity of care for people living with HIV is a primary concern and focus of ours to really ensure that those 15.7 million people that we have on life-saving treatment are maintained on that service, as well as maintaining virologic suppression,” said Dr. Achrekar.

In relation to multi-month dispensing of ARV drugs, the WHO’s Dr. Doherty also remarked that, while the strategy is prudent in light of COVID-19-related restrictive measures, the potential for stock-outs must also be taken into consideration.

Dr. Shannon Hader, UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director, Programs, warned that even a six-month disruption in the supply of ARV drugs could set global progress on AIDS back over a decade. After the acute phase of the crisis has passed, she concluded, it will be vital to ensure that healthcare commodities continue to remain available to people living with HIV. But she stressed that above these operational considerations, all parties engaged in the COVID-19 response must facilitate a rights-based approach that places affected communities at the center of HIV and COVID-19 responses.

“Early on, there was a lot of discussion when public health responses for COVID were being talked about, ‘Oh well you know it’s a trade-off between public health and human rights, and we’re just going to have to live with it,’” said Dr. Hader. “We know from HIV that the most effective public health response, that gets to the endgame, is also a rights-based and community-led response. They’re not in conflict at all.”

Other sessions featured during the 2020 90-90-90 Targets Update included:

The 2020 90-90-90 Targets Update was made possible through corporate sponsorships from ViiV Healthcare and Gilead Sciences.

IAPAC Retrofits Fast-Track Cities Dashboards to Visualize COVID-19 Data and Resources

IAPAC Retrofits Fast-Track Cities Dashboards to Visualize COVID-19 Data and Resources

WASHINGTON, DC, USA (April 20, 2020) – The International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), in partnership with Dure Technologies and the Fast-Track Cities Institute, is retrofitting its Fast-Track City dashboards to visualize confirmed COVID-19 case, death, and recovery data alongside existing municipal-level HIV data the dashboards have visualized since 2015. In addition to the COVID-19 data, the retrofitted dashboards will map COVID-19-related services and illustrate COVID-19 data trends.

The first two retrofitted Fast-Track City dashboards launched today are for the cities of London and New York City. Additional retrofitted dashboards will be launched later this week, available via the Fast-Track Cities Global Web Portal. Following are links to the London and New York City dashboards:

London: http://www.fast-trackcities.org/cities/london-covid
New York City: http://www.fast-trackcities.org/cities/new-york-covid

“The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting health systems in urban centers and its impact can be measured in lives endangered and too many lives tragically lost,” said IAPAC President/CEO Dr. José M. Zuniga, who is Chair of the Fast-Track Cities Institute. “By retrofitting city dashboards, we remain true to a central tenet of the Fast-Track Cities initiative: data-driven action. Visualizing a city’s COVID-19 data reinforces local public health measures to mitigate new SARS-CoV-2 infections. Mapping COVID-19-related services is also public service to complement efforts by local health departments to communicate critical public health resources and other information.”

“We are proud to partner with IAPAC and the Fast-Track Cities Institute to leverage Fast-Track Cities dashboards to serve the public good at a time of suffering caused by the burgeoning COVID-19 pandemic,” said Vipin Yadav, CEO of Dure Technologies, the Fast-Track Cities initiative’s IT partner. “While we hope local COVID-19 epidemics subside in the near future, we believe cutting-edge technology is key to advancing public health initiatives. We are prepared to continue delivering this public service to Fast-Track Cities for the foreseeable future.”

COVID-19 and HIV, TB, and Viral Hepatitis Education

While there are not enough data today to determine whether people living with HIV are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection, people who have underlying conditions, including infectious diseases, are at greater potential risk of severe complications from COVID-19. Moreover, preliminary results of an IAPAC survey of HIV-treating clinicians indicate disruptions in prevention, care, treatment, and psychosocial services being delivered to people living with and at-risk for HIV. The Fast-Track Cities initiative, through IAPAC, is coordinating a series of educational webinars to educate clinicians and allied healthcare providers in Fast-Track Cities about evidence-based recommendations for managing COVID-19 for people living with HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and/or viral hepatitis.

Following the postponement of its planned Adherence 2020 conference in June 2020 due to COVID-19-related restrictive measures, IAPAC will also host a virtual Adherence 2020 pre-conference from 12-5 pm ET, May 6, 2020, focused on the “Continuity of HIV Care in the Presence of COVID-19.” Moderated by Dr. Zuniga with welcome remarks by Dr. Shannon Hader, Deputy Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the pre-conference will feature from clinician and community experts. To register online or for more information about the pre-conference, visit: https://www.iapac.org/conferences/adherence-2020-virtual-pre-conference/

Additionally, IAPAC is maintaining a repository of regularly updated evidence-based COVID-19 resources and recommendations, which can be accessed on the IAPAC website at: https://www.iapac.org/hiv-covid-19/

Fast-Track City Dashboards

Since 2015, IAPAC has developed city dashboards through support from multiple grantors, including the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, MAC AIDS Fund, Merck & Co., President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), US Agency for International Development (USAID), and ViiV Healthcare.

About Fast-Track Cities

Fast-Track Cities is a network of more than 300 cities and municipalities striving to their end urban HIV, TB, and viral hepatitis epidemics by 2030.

About the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care

With more than 30,000 members globally, IAPAC is the largest association of clinicians and allied health professionals working to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. IAPAC is also a core technical partner of the Fast-Track Cities initiative and serves as the Secretariat for the Fast-Track Cities Institute.

IAPAC Announces Fast-Track Cities Implementation Science Fund

IAPAC Announces Fast-Track Cities Implementation Science Fund

ViiV Healthcare and Gilead Sciences Support Fund with Combined $750,000 Contribution to Support Implementation Science Studies in Fast-Track Cities

WASHINGTON, DC, USA (April 28, 2020) – The International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) announced the launch of a Fast-Track Cities Implementation Science Fund today to support clinical and community researchers to conduct studies aimed at identifying optimally effective interventions, policies, and strategies that enhance urban HIV responses. The first round of study grants will be supported by a combined $750,000 investment by ViiV Healthcare and Gilead Sciences, which will be managed by IAPAC in coordination with an international Expert Advisory Committee.

In making the announcement, IAPAC President/CEO Dr. José M. Zuniga noted that the rational allocation of limited human and financial resources requires new insights to guide clinical, public health, and financial decision-making among Fast-Track Cities in pursuit of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 targets.

He indicated the scientific field in which these types of questions are best asked and answered is implementation science, which aims to investigate barriers to the effective implementation of evidence-based interventions for public health impact and to test new approaches to implementing these interventions.

“IAPAC is proud to launch the Fast-Track Cities Implementation Science Fund, with initial support from ViiV Healthcare and Gilead Sciences, as a vehicle to inform local decision-makers to implement interventions, policies, and strategies that can improve HIV prevention and treatment outcomes within urban HIV responses,” said Dr. Zuniga. “The funded studies will examine implementation gaps relevant to optimizing HIV care and prevention continua, without which Fast-Track Cities cannot attain and exceed the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets on a trajectory towards getting to zero new HIV infections and zero AIDS-related deaths.”

“The incredible progress made in treating and preventing HIV over the past 30 years has saved millions of lives and provided us with the tools needed to end the epidemic. However, without the effective implementation of HIV health services that take into account real-world challenges to ensure all individuals are tested, treated and cared for, our best efforts to end the epidemic will not be successful. ViiV Healthcare is proud to support IAPAC as part of our pioneering commitment to implementation science to bridge the gaps between HIV research and clinical practice,” said Dr. Maggie Czarnogorski, Director of Implementation Science at ViiV Healthcare.

“Gilead is pleased to support IAPAC with the launch of a Fast-Track Cities Implementation Science Fund. We know that it takes more than medicines to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS and are committed to supporting implementation science. The resources will address critical gaps, disparities and stigma to help identify the best interventions for Fast-Track Cities to attain and exceed the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets,” said Mr. Korab Zuka, Vice President of Public Affairs at Gilead Sciences.

The Fast-Track Cities Implementation Science Fund will prioritize the following gaps for study: 1) finding and testing HIV unawares; 2) improving linkage to HIV prevention, care, and support services; 3) promoting the prompt initiation of and adherence to antiretroviral therapy; 4) maximizing retention and long-term engagement in HIV care; 5) improving health-related quality of life and quality of care; 6) addressing disparities in access to/utilization of HIV prevention and care services; 7) optimizing care for unique populations, including children, adolescents and elderly people living with HIV; 8) eliminating stigma and discrimination, notably within health settings; and 9) accelerating uptake of innovative policies and programs, as well as new diagnostics, medicines, and technologies.

The Fast-Track Cities Implementation Science Fund’s international Expert Advisory Committee is comprised of implementation science experts and community researchers. They are tasked with establishing study criteria, reviewing/approving study proposals, and analyzing/translating study results for dissemination across the Fast-Track Cities network. The Expert Advisory Committee is expected to approve Letter of Interest (LOI) guidance that will be made available to interested applicants at www.iapac.org in early May 2020.

About Fast-Track Cities
Fast-Track Cities is a network of more than 300 cities and municipalities striving to their end urban HIV, TB, and viral hepatitis epidemics by 2030.

About the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care
With more than 30,000 members globally, IAPAC is the largest association of clinicians and allied health professionals working to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. IAPAC is also a core technical partner of the Fast-Track Cities initiative.

IAPAC, UN-Habitat Partner to End Urban HIV, TB, HCV Epidemics

IAPAC, UN-Habitat Partner to End Urban HIV, TB, HCV Epidemics

Memorandum of Understanding Signed at 10^th World Urban Forum

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (February 12, 2020) – The International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) and the United Nations Programme on Human Settlements (UN-Habitat) announced a new partnership today to strengthen the efforts of Fast-Track Cities to end their urban HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and viral hepatitis epidemics within the context of Sustainable Development Goal 11 (to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable). Today’s announcement coincided with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IAPAC and UN-Habitat at the 10^thWorld Urban Forum.

“Addressing the need for people to live in cities that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable is essential to ending the HIV, TB, and viral epidemics.” said Dr. José M. Zuniga, IAPAC President/CEO, who signed the MoU today alongside Mr. Victor Kisob, Deputy Executive Director of UN-Habitat. “Through this partnership with UN-Habitat we embark on a ‘Decade of Action’ to make the Sustainable Development Goals a reality within the context of the Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities and the New Urban Agenda.”

By signing the MoU, IAPAC and UN-Habitat agree to engage in joint advocacy and best practice-sharing among Fast-Track Cities regarding the health-related priorities in the New Urban Agenda, which was adopted at the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III) in Quito, Ecuador, in 2016, and endorsed by the UN General Assembly that same year. The New Urban Agenda outlines global principles, policies, and standards required to achieve sustainable urban development. The IAPAC and UN-Habitat partnership will also prioritize the collection and dissemination of programmatic and other data to enhance public health interventions.

“Thriving cities must be healthy cities and this collaboration with IAPAC brings on board experts from the two agencies to address a core issue of getting cities on that last mile towards ending their HIV epidemics. Cities must have the knowledge, technology, data, and funding that can ensure that no one and no community is left behind,” said Mr. Victor Kisob.

The 10^th World Urban Forum is convened by UN-Habitat to promote sustainable urban development. This year’s forum theme is “Cities of Opportunities: Connecting Culture and Innovation.”

About the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care

With more than 30,000 members globally, IAPAC is the largest association of clinicians and allied health professionals working to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

About UN-Habitat

UN-Habitat is the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future. Its mission is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable and inclusive human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all.

About Fast-Track Cities

Fast-Track Cities is a network of more than 300 cities and municipalities striving to their end urban HIV, TB, and viral hepatitis epidemics by 2030.

Fast-Track Cities Launches “Decade of Action” Against HIV, TB, and HCV, at 10th World Urban Forum

Fast-Track Cities Launches “Decade of Action” Against HIV, TB, and HCV, at 10th World Urban Forum
February 11, 2020

A high-level IAPAC delegation represented the Fast-Track Cities network at the 10th World Urban Forum in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, which was convened by the United Nations Programme on Human Settlements (UN-Habitat). IAPAC President/CEO Dr. José M. Zuniga spoke before a panel discussion on February 11, 2020, about the importance of leveraging reliable data in responding to HIV and other urban epidemics.

Dr. Zuniga touted the power of data to guide Fast-Track Cities on a trajectory toward ending their urban HIV epidemics by chronicling the experiences of Fast-Track Cities such as Bangkok, Kyiv, and Nairobi. Despite the unique set of factors facing communities in each of these urban areas, Dr. Zuniga noted how the development and dissemination of reliable data has helped clinicians, policymakers, and advocates for people living with HIV to determine how to optimize the allocation of resources and tailor public interventions that reflect local needs. He added that we must continue to address stigma as a public health threat and educate the public about the science of HIV treatment and prevention.

This year’s 10th World Urban Forum coincides with the beginning of a “Decade of Action” to achieve critical targets contained within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The Fast-Track Cities initiative recently marked five years since its launch on World AIDS Day 2014.

IAPAC and UN-Habitat announced a new partnership at the forum, with Dr. Zuniga and UN-Habitat Deputy Executive Director, Mr. Victor Kisob, signing a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize the new agreement. The two organizations will collaborate to enhance the efforts of over 300 Fast-Track Cities to end local epidemics of HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and viral hepatitis within the context of Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11), which seeks to improve resiliency and sustainability in urban communities.

“Addressing the need for people to live in cities that are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable is essential to ending the HIV, TB, and viral epidemics.” said Dr. Zuniga. “Through this partnership with UN-Habitat we embark on a ‘Decade of Action’ to make the Sustainable Development Goals a reality within the context of the Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities and the New Urban Agenda.”

IAPAC showcased the new documentary, “Fast-Track Cities: Making Progress, Saving Lives” at the forum’s Urban Cinema. The film explores the stories of people from six Fast-Track Cities across five continents. The full film is available on YouTube:

Lisbon to Host Fast-Track Cities 2020 Conference

Lisbon to Host Fast-Track Cities 2020 Conference

Conference’s High-Level Panel to Feature Evidence-Based Approaches to Drug Policy

LISBON, Portugal (January 17, 2020) – The Camara Municipal de Lisboa and the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) hosted a press announcement and a community-led panel discussion today about the need for Fast-Track Cities to pursue evidence-based approaches to drug policy to curb new HIV infections while respecting the human rights of people who use drugs.

The 2019 UNAIDS Drugs Report acknowledged that while new HIV infections among adults worldwide declined by 14% between 2011 and 2017, there has been no decrease in the annual number of new HIV infections among people who inject drugs. Yet, between 2008 and 2017, there was a 93% decrease in HIV cases among people who inject drugs in Portugal, according to the Portuguese National AIDS Agency, a reduction to which new harm reduction policies contributed.

The announcement and panel discussion took place during a City Hall event where Lisbon Mayor Fernando Medina announced his city would play host later this year to local stakeholders from more than 300 cities and municipalities accelerating the end of their urban HIV, tuberculosis (TB), and viral hepatitis epidemics by 2030. The Fast-Track Cities 2020 conference, taking place September 7-10, 2020, is expected to convene more than 1,000 delegates from 300+ current and numerous prospective Fast-Track Cities in every region of the world.

In announcing the Fast-Track Cities 2020 conference, Mayor Medina also said the focus of the conference’s high-level panel will be on drug policies and harm reduction. The high-level panel will consist of Mayors and other elected officials, as well as public health leaders. The focus of the Fast-Track Cities 2019 conference’s high-level panel in London was on health inequalities, with Mayor Sadiq Khan chairing the panel. Lisbon’s Mayor Medina will do likewise at the Fast-Track Cities 2020 conference.

“Drug policies need to be focused on reducing harm among people who use drugs, instead of furthering the stigma associated with the criminalization of drug use. The expansion of harm reduction services in Lisbon and in Portugal has made a significant impact in reducing the numbers of new HIV cases in people who inject drugs,” said Mayor Medina. “We are proud to highlight Lisbon’s experience in transforming public health at the Fast-Track Cities 2020 conference.”

In his welcome remarks at today’s event, IAPAC President/CEO Dr. José M. Zuniga welcomed Mayor Medina’s wish to focus attention on rights-based drug policies and harm reduction interventions for people who use drugs, adding that it is at the city and municipal levels where the most efficient collaboration takes place between civic authorities, health services, and communities of people who use drugs.

“Where sound drug policies and harm reduction services are in place, such as in Portugal, we have seen significant decreases in HIV infections among people who inject drugs and their partners,” said IAPAC President/CEO Dr. José M. Zuniga. “Harm reduction shows its best results when it is planned at municipal and national levels and where local stakeholders have a degree of autonomy in terms of organizing services that best serve the needs of their key populations,” Dr. Zuniga explained.

A Portugal-focused panel discussion capped off today’s Fast-Track Cities event, covering issues ranging from budgeting for harm reduction to engaging communities of people who use drugs. The panelists included Isabel Aldir, Director of Portugal’s National Program for HIV/ AIDS and Viral Hepatitis; Luís Mendão, President of the Grupo de Ativistas em Tratamentos (GAT); Andreia Pinto Ferreira, General Director of Ser+; Elsa Belo, Technical Director, Programa de Substituição em Baixo Limiar de Exigência at Ares do Pinhal; and João Goulão, General Director of the Intervention on Addictive Behaviors and Dependencies (SICAD) at the Portuguese Ministry of Health.

The Fast-Track Cities 2020 conference is organized by IAPAC, UNAIDS, and other partners. For more information, please visit: https://www.iapac.org/conferences/fast-track-cities-2019/fast-track-cities-2020/

Fast-Track Cities Welcomes New Communities on World AIDS Day 2019

Fast-Track Cities Welcomes New Communities on World AIDS Day 2019

The International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) welcomed several new cities and municipalities to the Fast-Track Cities network to commemorate World AIDS Day 2019. The initiative is marking its fifth anniversary since the Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities was originally signed by 26 municipalities on World AIDS Day 2014 in Paris. Since then the Fast-Track Cities network has grown to more than 300 municipalities that are working in solidarity to end urban HIV, tuberculosis, and viral hepatitis epidemics by 2030.

North America

IAPAC President/CEO Dr. José M. Zuniga spoke at a signing ceremony on World AIDS Day 2019 in which both the City of St. Louis and Saint Louis County joined the Fast-Track Cities initiative. St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson said the initiative “truly furthers the overall vision of the city’s health department, which is to create an equitable city achieving optimal health for all.”

“We proudly welcome the City and County of St. Louis to the Fast-Track Cities initiative on the occasion of World AIDS Day 2019,” said Dr. Zuniga. “St. Louis will benefit from the collective best practices and lessons learned from a network of more than 300 Fast-Track Cities and other municipalities that are working in solidarity to end urban HIV epidemics by 2030. As important, the Fast-Track Cities network’s emphasis on community-led HIV responses aligns well with the US federal government’s prioritization of 48 counties, two territories, and seven states, including Missouri.”

IAPAC’s Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Chris Duncombe delivered remarks at a “Fast-Track Nevada” signing ceremony in Las Vegas also on World AIDS Day 2019 to welcome Clark County, Nevada, and the cities of Boulder, Henderson, and Las Vegas to the Fast-Track Cities initiative. By reaching a critical mass of cities across the state, Nevada was recognized as the first “Fast-Track State” in the United States. Clark County, Nevada, is one of the 48 counties that are being targeted by the Trump administration’s nationwide plan to end the HIV epidemic.

“The Fast-Track Nevada initiative represents the dedication and support of our local, state, federal, and global partners who are committed to providing comprehensive resources in our community and stopping the epidemic,” said Dr. Fermin Leguen, Acting Chief Health Officer, Southern Nevada Health District.

Texas became America’s second “Fast-Track State” on December 4, 2019, as civic leaders, health officials, and community advocates gathered to add Harris County and the City of Houston to the Fast-Track Cities network. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo signed the Paris Declaration alongside IAPAC’s President/CEO, Dr. Zuniga. The ceremony coincided with the final day of the Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit in Houston.

“Ending HIV is not only a lifesaving endeavor, it is also an economically sound approach that saves millions of dollars in health care costs,” said Mayor Turner. “I’m proud to add Houston as a Fast Track City, complementing the quality work of the Houston Health Department in ending the HIV epidemic.”

“Today, we are proudly reaffirming our commitment to helping those living with HIV/AIDS and to ending the epidemic,” said Judge Hidalgo. “We will continue to provide the best quality care for our HIV/AIDS community and work to stop new transmissions from occurring, but we know there is so much more to be done.”

Houston and Harris County, Texas, joined the Fast-Track Cities initiative on December 4, 2019.

Dallas (Dallas County), Austin (Travis County), and San Antonio (Bexar County), Texas are also members of the Fast-Track Cities network. The four Texas counties are among the 48 counties that are being targeted in the federal government’s plan to end the HIV epidemic by 2030.

Europe

Palermo became Italy’s third Fast-Track City on November 24, 2019, with the signature of Mayor Leoluca Orlando. Upon signing the Paris Declaration, Mayor Orland emphasized that “in Palermo we want to make everyone visible, because those who are invisible have no rights.” The event was attended by Rosaria Iardino, an Italian journalist and advocate for people living with HIV who is President of Fondazione The Bridge and coordinates the work of Fast-Track Cities in Milan. IAPAC was represented by Dr. Antonella d’Arminio Monforte who is a professor at the University of Milan.

The City of Florence, Italy, joined the Fast-Track Cities network on November 30, 2019. Mayor Dario Nardella emphasized the importance of HIV prevention as he signed the Paris Declaration. IAPAC was represented by our Vice President for Strategic Partnerships Bertrand Audoin.

Firenze HIV AIDS — Florence joined Fast-Track Cities on November 30, 2019

Several municipalities have recently joined Fast-Track Cities from the United Kingdom. The health minister for Wales, Vaughan Gething, attended a ceremony alongside IAPAC’s Vice President for Strategic Partnerships, Mr. Audoin and other local officials and advocates to welcome Cardiff to the Fast-Track Cities network on November 28, 2019.

Cardiff joined the Fast-Track Cities network on November 28, 2019.

The City of Bristol, England joined the initiative two days later on November 30, 2019.

“By adopting the Fast Track Cities Initiative’s principles in Bristol and pioneering a ‘One City’ approach to tackle health inequalities, I am confident that we can rise to this challenge and end new HIV infections by 2030,” said Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees.

Bristol (UK) — Bristol joined the Fast-Track Cities initiative on November 30, 2019.

Strasbourg Mayor Roland Ries signed the Paris Declaration on November 25, 2019, joining six other Fast-Track Cities in France that are working together to reverse their local HIV epidemics. The ceremony coincided with a public awareness campaign to promote HIV testing.

Our Vice President for Strategic Partnerships, Mr. Audoin represented IAPAC at a signing ceremony in Prague, Czech Republic, on December 5, 2019, that was also attended by Mayor Zdeněk Hřib and health councilor Milena John. The incidence of HIV infections has been rising in the Czech Republic in recent years. Since monitoring began in 1985, roughly one out of two new infections has occurred in the capital city of Prague.

“I am glad that Prague will join other world capitals in the fight against AIDS. With Fast-Track Cities, we can say: together we are stronger, together we are louder, together we can change the world. The health of our citizens is a priority for us and we must not underestimate it,” said Mayor Hřib.

The cities of Podgorica, Bijelo Poljé, and Bar, Montenegro joined the Fast-Track Cities initiative on December 2, 2019. Pordgorica Mayor Ivan Vuković signed the Paris Declaration alongside Dušan Raičević, the Mayor of Bar, and Petar Smolović, the Mayor of Bijelo Poljé. Mayor Vuković said that stigma remains a significant challenge in Montenegro.

“We have decided not to turn a blind eye to the problem, but to tackle it, and in this way give an institutional response in accordance with what the goals and principles of action are at the global level,” said Vuković, who also pledged to prioritize HIV prevention and education for young people.

Asia

The cities of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Battambang, Cambodia joined the Fast-Track Cities initiative on December 4, 2019, along with the province of Banteay Meanchey. According to a new report by UNAIDS, there were 880 new HIV infections in Cambodia in 2018, reflecting a 95% decrease from 16,500 new infections at the peak of the local epidemic in 1997.

Fast-Track Cities 2023 Announcement

IAPAC, CITY OF AMSTERDAM ANNOUNCE FAST-TRACK CITIES 2023 CONFERENCE

Sevilla Declaration on the Centrality of Affected Communities in Urban HIV Responses Unveiled at Fast-Track Cities 2022 Conference

Six Cities and a Ukrainian Community-Based Organization Recognized at Fast-Track Cities 2022 Conference

IAPAC Announces Fast-Track Cities Progress on World AIDS Day and Initiative’s 7th Anniversary

IAPAC Announces Fast-Track Cities Progress on World AIDS Day and Initiative’s 7th Anniversary

IAPAC Hosting 16th Annual Conference Focused on Optimizing HIV Prevention and Treatment Adherence

Fast-Track Cities 2021 Conference Recognizes Excellence Among Cities, Allies, Sponsors

IAPAC Releases “LGBTI+ Health Equity: A Global Report of 50 Fast-Track Cities” Confirms Glaring Inequities across LGBTI+ Communities

IAPAC Influences Call for New ‘Global Public Health Convention’ to Emphasize Importance of City Public Health Leadership

IAPAC Awards 10 Implementation Science Grants Under Auspices of Fast-Track Cities Implementation Science Fund

IAPAC Joins NACHC and 38 Other Organizations in Advocating COVID-19 Vaccine Reimbursement for FQHCs via Medicare and Medicaid

Seven More Fast-Track Cities Surpass HIV 90-90-90 Targets

15-Year Anniversary: Adherence 2020 Goes Virtual

Global Leaders Underscore Pandemic Preparedness at Virtual Fast-Track Cities 2020 Conference

Global Experts Warn of COVID-19-Related HIV Service Disruptions

IAPAC Retrofits Fast-Track Cities Dashboards to Visualize COVID-19 Data and Resources

IAPAC Announces Fast-Track Cities Implementation Science Fund

IAPAC, UN-Habitat Partner to End Urban HIV, TB, HCV Epidemics

Fast-Track Cities Launches “Decade of Action” Against HIV, TB, and HCV, at 10th World Urban Forum

Lisbon to Host Fast-Track Cities 2020 Conference

Fast-Track Cities Welcomes New Communities on World AIDS Day 2019

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