HIV AIDS - (RED) https://www.red.org/reditorial/category/hiv-aids/ Tue, 08 Apr 2025 21:33:39 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 6 Misconceptions About HIV/AIDS https://www.red.org/reditorial/learn/six-misconceptions-about-hiv-aids-and-why-they-arent-true/ Tue, 04 Mar 2025 22:48:16 +0000 https://www.red.org/?p=7718 Since (RED)’s founding by Bono and Bobby Shriver in 2006, (RED) has remained committed to fighting injustices that allow pandemics like HIV/AIDS to thrive. To help clarify some myths and fight stigma, we’re breaking down some common misconceptions around the virus. 1. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is over We’ve made incredible... Read more »

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]]> Since (RED)’s founding by Bono and Bobby Shriver in 2006, (RED) has remained committed to fighting injustices that allow pandemics like HIV/AIDS to thrive. To help clarify some myths and fight stigma, we’re breaking down some common misconceptions around the virus.

1. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is over

We’ve made incredible strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS, but it is very much still a crisis in many parts of the world. There are still over 39 million people living with HIV globally, and 1.3 million people were newly infected with HIV in 2023. That’s more than 2 people who contract HIV every minute. (2024 UNAIDS Report).

2. HIV is a death sentence

Thanks to incredible advances in medicine and antiretroviral therapy (ARVs), people living with HIV can have long, healthy lives. Through proper treatment, HIV viral loads can drop to undetectable levels, meaning the virus can’t be transmitted to others. Today, over 30.7 million people living with HIV are accessing ARVs that allow them to thrive (2024 UNAIDS Report).

3. HIV can only be spread through unprotected sex

While HIV can certainly spread through unprotected sex, there are other ways to contract the virus, including sharing needles, mother-to-child transmission during childbirth, and breastfeeding.

4. HIV can be spread through casual contact

HIV is not transmitted through hugging, shaking hands, sharing food or toilet seats, or mosquito bites. It spreads through specific bodily fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids, rectal fluids, and breast milk).

5. Only certain populations acquire HIV

HIV affects people of all backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses. While some groups may have higher risks due to factors like access to healthcare and prevention methods, no one is immune.

6. If both sexual partners have HIV, they don’t need to use protection

Different strains of HIV exist, and reinfection with a different strain can make treatment more challenging. Using protection and staying on ARV treatment helps maintain health and prevents complications. Condoms also help protect against other sexually transmitted infections, which can negatively impact the immune system.

Stigma is a significant barrier in the fight to end AIDS and to make sure that everyone, everywhere, has access to the health programs they need. Ending the stigma around HIV/AIDS starts with educating yourself and others about misconceptions surrounding the virus.

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]]> 10 Black Pioneers Who Have Shaped Public Health https://www.red.org/reditorial/activism/10-black-pioneers-who-have-shaped-public-health-black-history-month/ Tue, 25 Feb 2025 19:31:16 +0000 https://www.red.org/?p=7664 Black History Month isn’t just about remembering—it’s about honoring those who have redefined the status quo and helped others thrive. From historic breakthroughs to ongoing advancements, Black pioneers have led groundbreaking research, fought for health equity, and inspired change in the field of public health. This month, we’re celebrating 10... Read more »

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]]> Black History Month isn’t just about remembering—it’s about honoring those who have redefined the status quo and helped others thrive. From historic breakthroughs to ongoing advancements, Black pioneers have led groundbreaking research, fought for health equity, and inspired change in the field of public health.

This month, we’re celebrating 10 fearless Black healthcare leaders who’ve paved the way for a healthier future for all.

Sandra Lindsay

Sandra Lindsay made history as the first person in the U.S. to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, turning a single moment into a movement. Lindsay was born and raised in Jamaica, where she found herself surrounded by strong women in healthcare. Inspired by them, Sandra built her career and education in nursing. However, she saw firsthand the devastating impact the pandemic had on underserved communities. Determined to make a change, she rolled up her sleeve—not only for her own health but to inspire others to trust the vaccine and be an advocate for health equity for all.

Sandra Lindsay Black History Month
Image Credit: CARE

Dr. John Nkengasong

As the founding director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. John Nkengasong has played a crucial role in helping Africa navigate COVID-19. Beyond leading pandemic response efforts, he empowers young African scientists and advocates for equitable vaccine access worldwide. Today,  he also serves as the Deputy Director for Global Health at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Dr. John Nkengasong Black History Month
Image Credit: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Dázon Dixon Diallo

Founder and President of SisterLove, Inc., Dázon is a powerhouse in the fight for human rights. In 1989, she made history by establishing the first women’s HIV, sexual, and reproductive justice organization in the U.S. Southeast. With over 35 years of advocacy under her belt, she has been a relentless voice for health equity, earning countless awards along the way.

Dázon Dixon Diallo Black History Month
Image Credit: Sister Love

Louis W. Sullivan

Physician, educator, and civil rights pioneer, Louis W. Sullivan dedicated his career to improving public health in the U.S. In the mid-1970s, Sullivan helped establish the Morehouse School of Medicine and was appointed founding dean. He later served as Secretary of Health and Human Services, where he championed key health initiatives including endorsing needle exchange programs as part of an HIV/AIDS prevention strategy and pioneer treatments for sickle cell disease. Today, he leads the National Health Museum and the Sullivan Alliance and chairs the President’s Advisory Council on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Image Credit: US Department of Health and Human Services

Dr. Helene D. Gayle

Named one of Forbes’ “100 Most Powerful Women,” Dr. Helene D. Gayle is a physician and global health expert, who has dedicated her career to tackling HIV/AIDS and systemic health disparities. From the CDC to the Gates Foundation and CARE, she’s leading transformative change and exposing inequities that impact Black communities.  She currently serves as President of Spelman College and is a Board Member of our sister organization, the ONE Campaign.

Dr. Helene D. Gayle Black History Month
Image Credit: Spelman College

Marsha P. Johnson

Though best known as a key figure in the Stonewall Uprising and a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, Marsha P. Johnson also fought tirelessly for those affected by HIV/AIDS. In 1970, she co-founded one of the first safe spaces for transgender and homeless youth. After her own diagnosis in the 1980s, she became a vocal member of ACT UP, demanding urgent action on the AIDS crisis while leaving her mark on NYC’s vibrant art scene.

Marsha P. Johnson Black History Month
Image Credit: New York State

Vanessa Johnson

For decades, Vanessa Johnson has advocated for the rights of Black individuals living with HIV. As a woman living with HIV, Johnson shares her story and mentors other women to help them live with strength and resilience. She launched numerous organizations dedicated to uplifting and empowering women with HIV and also helped author Unspoken: Sexual, Romance, and Reproductive Freedom for Women Living with HIV, a groundbreaking report rewriting the narrative around HIV and women’s rights.

Vanessa Johnson Black History Month
Image Credit: PLHIV Documentary

Dr. Kapita Bila Minlangu

Dr. Kapita was at the forefront of Africa’s fight against HIV/AIDS in the 1980s as one of the first African scientists to identify the epidemic’s presence in Central Africa.  He co-led Project SIDA, which proved that HIV/AIDS was not exclusive to gay men. The discovery that individuals of all genders and sexual orientations were susceptible to infection was a crucial step in learning how HIV is transmitted. Though the project was cut short by the Civil War in 1991, it played a key part in shaping our understanding of HIV today.

Image Credit: Fondation Bila Minlangu Officiel

W.E.B. Du Bois

In the early 1900s, W.E.B. Du Bois was among the first to argue that racial health disparities weren’t just biological but rooted in social structures. His pioneering research highlighted the effects of racism and discrimination in healthcare, paving the way for future equity-driven policies and discussions.

W.E.B. Du Bois Black History Month
Image Credit: Library of Congress

Henrietta Lacks

Henrietta Lacks unknowingly made one of the greatest contributions to modern medicine. Her cells, taken without consent during cancer treatment in 1951, became the foundation for countless medical breakthroughs—including HIV/AIDS medications and COVID-19 vaccines. While her legacy is one of scientific triumph, it also serves as a powerful reminder of the injustices Black patients have endured in medical history.

These individuals prove that healthcare for all isn’t just about science—it’s about fighting the injustices that allow preventable and treatable diseases to thrive.

As we celebrate Black History Month, let’s honor their legacies by continuing their important work so that everyone, everywhere, can have access to the healthcare they deserve.

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]]> 4 Reasons Iron Deficiency Can Be Dangerous For People Living with HIV https://www.red.org/reditorial/learn/4-reasons-iron-deficiency-can-be-dangerous-for-people-living-with-hiv/ Wed, 16 Oct 2024 14:38:20 +0000 https://www.red.org/?p=6695 Iron is a critical nutrient that helps your blood move oxygen from your lungs to the rest of the body. Iron deficiency anemia is a condition that leads to a reduction in the number of red blood cells. Everyone is susceptible to developing iron deficiency at different times in their... Read more »

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]]> Iron is a critical nutrient that helps your blood move oxygen from your lungs to the rest of the body. Iron deficiency anemia is a condition that leads to a reduction in the number of red blood cells. Everyone is susceptible to developing iron deficiency at different times in their lives, though the causes and symptoms can vary from person to person.

(RED) is teaming up with Lucky Iron Life to break down the intersection between iron deficiency and HIV. (RED) and Lucky Iron Life have a shared goal of improving global health and well-being. (RED) does this by partnering with brands to create products and experiences that raise money, heat, and urgency for the AIDS fight, while Lucky Iron Life is on a mission to make iron deficiency a thing of the past globally by developing cooking tools that help fortify daily meals with iron.

Iron deficiency anemia is the largest micronutrient deficiency globally and the most common blood disorder for those living with HIV/AIDS. It is closely associated with disease progression and higher risk of mortality. (Source: EClinicalMedicine)

Here are four reasons iron is especially important for those living with HIV/AIDS – and why iron deficiency can be so dangerous: 

  1. Immune System Compromise: Anemia can increase susceptibility to infections, which pose serious risks for people with HIV, as the virus weakens the immune system. For instance, people living with HIV are already more prone to tuberculosis, and iron deficiency anemia can compound the risk of infection.
  2. Source: CDC

  1. Risk of Coinfections: People living with HIV face a higher risk of other blood disorders and co-infections that can exacerbate iron deficiency and complicate anemia treatment. HIV can also cause anemia of chronic disease (ACD), in which stored iron isn’t available for red blood cell production.
  2. Sources: aidsmap, American Society of Hematology

  1. Inflammation Problems: HIV infection triggers the release of inflammatory proteins, which can boost the production of hepcidin. This hormone reduces iron absorption by essentially locking up iron in immune cells, thereby limiting the body’s availability for new blood cell production and worsening anemia.
  2. Source: American Society of Hematology

  1. Medication Effects: Some antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV can impair iron absorption, leading to nutritional deficiencies. Reduced appetite and malabsorption issues make it hard for those with HIV to get enough iron, complicating anemia management.
  2. Sources: aidsmap, American Society of Hematology

Managing iron levels is a balancing act, and as it’s intricately linked with HIV, requires a thoughtful and comprehensive approach for effective control. Though additional research is needed to find the best way to handle iron deficiency and HIV, it’s clear that treatment and care can widely depend on the “where” and “how.” Lucky Iron Life and (RED) are working to ensure preventable and treatable diseases and conditions are preventable and treatable for everyone.

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]]> Highlights of the 2024 AIDS Conference in Munich: Putting People First https://www.red.org/reditorial/events/highlights-of-the-2024-aids-conference-in-munich-putting-people-first-roche-herry-mapesi/ Tue, 06 Aug 2024 17:24:51 +0000 https://www.red.org/?p=6434 This is a guest (RED)ITORIAL written by Dr. Herry Mapesi, Medical Lead, Pan Africa – Infectious Diseases, Roche Kenya. As a (RED) Champion, Herry helps spread the word about (RED) and Roche’s shared mission to raise awareness around the importance of testing in the fight against AIDS. Hope, community empowerment,... Read more »

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]]> This is a guest (RED)ITORIAL written by Dr. Herry Mapesi, Medical Lead, Pan Africa – Infectious Diseases, Roche Kenya. As a (RED) Champion, Herry helps spread the word about (RED) and Roche’s shared mission to raise awareness around the importance of testing in the fight against AIDS.

Hope, community empowerment, and inspiration for a healthier tomorrow. These were the main feelings coming out of the 25th International AIDS Conference hosted by the International AIDS Society in Munich from July 22-26 with the theme ‘Put people first.’ The event gathered thousands of leaders, advocates, and key organizations committed to the fight against HIV/AIDS to showcase exciting community-led innovation alongside scientific breakthroughs and game changers.
Over the last decade, we achieved tremendous progress in changing the statistics on HIV/AIDS. However, according to the recent report published by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), 1.3 million people acquired HIV in 2023 worldwide, with three regions experiencing rising numbers of new HIV infections: eastern Europe and central Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa.

While advancements in science bring light to possible prevention methods, there is much more to do to ensure people living with HIV can access appropriate care in order for them to live their best, healthy lives. Currently, one person dies every minute due to AIDS-related complications and several factors play a key role in that, including stigma and discrimination against marginalized communities, gender discrimination, and cuts in resources.

Partnerships between public and private sectors and nonprofits are critical to sustain the progress made so far and help shape policies that can address community hurdles and create more resilient healthcare systems. An example is the work of (RED) to support the fight against HIV in low-resources settings through partnering with private companies such as Roche to raise funds for The Global Fund to support the fight against HIV/AIDS. This is very important especially now we see the reduction of the resources available for HIV (US$ 19.8 billion) dropped by 5% from 2022. 

AIDS 2024 Roche Symposium: From left Dr. Lara Vojnov  (Global Health Impact Group), Dr. Jared Mecha (University of Nairobi), Dr. Herry Mapesi (Roche Diagnostics), Dr. Heather Alexander (CDC International Lab Branch) and Ben Plumley (Shot In The Arm Podcast).

There is an urgent need to leverage innovations to enable people-centric strategies and ensure efficiencies to support this global fight. One way is to use an integrated test approach which is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to increase access to diagnosis and monitoring of people’s status. During the conference, I was privileged to take part in the Symposium ‘Managing and Thriving in HIV Care: Advancing Innovative Solutions Towards Elimination of Comorbidities Such as HPV, HCV & TB’, where we discussed the importance of scaling up the available resources and investments in the fight against HIV and COVID-19. Countries can leverage existing infrastructure from the investments made in HIV programs to implement integrated testing approaches and expand access to screening of high-burden diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, and cervical cancer, a preventable disease caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). This will help to fill the diagnostic gap, especially in low-income and lower-middle-income countries where only about 19% of populations have access to the simplest diagnostic tests.

Are we going to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030? That is a million dollar question and it’s probably too early to tell. After the advancements made in the fight against HIV for the past decades, failure is not an option. In order to continue this fight, we need continued investment in HIV in order to be able to not only sustain the progress that we have made so far but also to expand testing and treatment of other comorbidities impacting people living with HIV. The use of current tools that we have such as long-acting injectables will be key to reducing new infections, however, we need to make sure these tools are accessible in low and middle-income countries. Innovative ways such as integrated testing will increase access to early diagnostics. Finally, stigma, gender discrimination and criminalization of HIV must stop in order to increase access to HIV testing, treatment and care.

Conferences like AIDS 2024 provide optimism for the future of HIV/AIDS treatment and care—especially if we continue to put people first.

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]]> 4 HIV/AIDS Care Terms You Should Know https://www.red.org/reditorial/hiv-aids/4-hiv-aids-care-terms-you-should-know/ Mon, 20 May 2024 17:42:21 +0000 https://www.red.org/?p=5932 With immense progress made in HIV/AIDS care in recent years, new terms and phrases have also emerged. If you’ve seen some unfamiliar words or phrases in the news, in conversations online, or even in pharmaceutical commercials, have no fear! We’re breaking down 4 of the most commonly used terms in... Read more »

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]]> With immense progress made in HIV/AIDS care in recent years, new terms and phrases have also emerged. If you’ve seen some unfamiliar words or phrases in the news, in conversations online, or even in pharmaceutical commercials, have no fear! We’re breaking down 4 of the most commonly used terms in conversations about HIV/AIDS care:

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is a life-saving treatment that helps a person living with HIV maintain an undetectable viral load. By taking an antiretroviral (ARV) pill daily, or injectable every 60 days, a person with HIV will not be able to transmit the virus to anyone else

Virologically suppressed is a term that describes when an HIV-positive person has an undetectable viral load (having less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood). An undetectable viral load is the mark of effective ART. Virologically suppressed HIV patients can’t transmit the virus to others.

U=U is an acronym for Undetectable Equals Untransmittable. The international U=U campaign signifies that HIV-positive people with an undetectable viral load are not contagious. U=U is the ultimate goal for anyone on ART.

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a preventative medication that someone living without HIV can take to reduce their chance of getting HIV through sex by 99% or infection from injection drug use by 74%.

Sources: POZ Magazine, Center for Disease Control

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]]> (RED) Talks—The State of the AIDS Fight 2024 https://www.red.org/reditorial/red-talks/red-talks-the-state-of-the-aids-fight-2024/ Tue, 09 Jan 2024 17:50:45 +0000 https://live-red005.pantheonsite.io/?p=3563 We’re back with 2024’s first episode of (RED) Talks, our digital series of frank conversations exploring the current state of the fight against HIV/AIDS, its impact on marginalized communities, and present opportunities to shine a spotlight on the need for investment. In this episode of (RED) Talks, (RED) President and... Read more »

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]]> We’re back with 2024’s first episode of (RED) Talks, our digital series of frank conversations exploring the current state of the fight against HIV/AIDS, its impact on marginalized communities, and present opportunities to shine a spotlight on the need for investment.

In this episode of (RED) Talks, (RED) President and COO, Jennifer Lotito, sits down with Peter Sands, Executive Director of The Global Fund, Angeli Achrekar, Deputy Executive Director for Programme, UNAIDS, and Dr. Kimberly Smith, Head of Research and Development, ViiV Healthcare to discuss the current state of the AIDS fight as we kick off 2024. Jennifer and the panelists will discuss the progress we’ve made in the AIDS fight, what’s working and what’s not, the importance of tackling stigma and prioritizing marginalized communities, and what’s needed to end the threat of AIDS in our lifetime.

This episode was generously sponsored by ViiV Healthcare.

  • Key questions addressed in this episode:
  • -What progress has been made in the AIDS fight and how has the Global Fund contributed to this work?
  • -Where have the biggest gains in the AIDS fight been made and how has ViiV Healthcare contributed to the progress that has been made in the HIV/AIDS fight? 
  • -UNAIDS released a new report earlier this year detailing the state of the epidemic. Where are we today in the AIDS fight and what are some of the big breakthroughs that are having the biggest impact?
  • -Stigma remains a big issue from a societal standpoint and self-stigma. How do we combat this major issue of ‘stigma’? 
  • -Why is it important to focus on women and girls while discussing critical resources for marginalized communities? 
  • -GSK and ViiV Healthcare have partnered together with the Global fund to launch a multi-year fund that specifically focuses on gender equality. Why is addressing these inequalities so important? 
  • -What are some of the big moments that Peter Sands, Angeli Achrekar, and Dr. Kimberly Smith are paying attention to, and what is giving them optimism?

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]]> (RED) Talks—Empowered Partners: Roche https://www.red.org/reditorial/red-talks/reditorial-red-talks-empowered-partners-roche-s2-ep-4/ Tue, 17 Oct 2023 21:09:42 +0000 https://red.org/?p=1107 In this episode of (RED) Talks, we sat down with Bernard Colombo, President of Roche Diagnostics for the Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America Region, to discuss Roche’s efforts to raise awareness around the importance of testing and diagnostics in fighting pandemics.

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]]> We’re back with another episode of (RED) Talks, our digital series of frank conversations exploring the current state of the fight against HIV/AIDS, its impact on marginalized communities, and present opportunities to shine a spotlight on the need for investment.

In this episode of (RED) Talks, Jennifer Lotito, (RED) President and COO, sits down with Bernard Colombo, President of Roche Diagnostics for the Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America Region, to discuss Roche’s efforts to raise awareness around the importance of testing and diagnostics in fighting pandemics. They’ll also chat about the power of partnership in ending HIV/AIDS.

This episode is generously sponsored by Roche Diagnostics.

  • Key questions addressed in this episode:
  • -When was the first time Bernard Colombo heard about AIDS and what made him get into the medicine and life sciences industry? 
  • -What was Bernard Colombo’s career trajectory, and how did he eventually end up at Roche? 
  • -How has testing and diagnostics changed over the years and where are there gaps today? 
  • -What is the importance of testing in the HIV fight? 
  • -How has access to testing impacted Bernard Colombo’s life and how has it shaped his outlook going forward? 
  • -What does the word partnership mean to Bernard Colombo and how is Roche advancing that value? 
  • –How do private-public partnerships work and why are they so important to the AIDS fight? 
  • -What is giving Bernard Colombo optimism that a future without HIV and AIDS is possible?

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]]> (RED) Talks—Combating HIV: Girls & Young Women https://www.red.org/reditorial/red-talks/red-talks-combating-hiv-girls-young-women/ Tue, 10 Oct 2023 21:17:14 +0000 https://red.org/?p=1126 In this episode of (RED) Talks, (RED) President and COO, Jennifer Lotito is accompanied by Cathy Ferrier, Head of Positive Action, @ViiV Healthcare, Rukia Männikkö, Community, Rights and Gender Regional Advisor & Focal Point for Africa and Middle East, @The Global Fund, Yacine Djibo, Executive Director, Speak Up Africa, and Millicent Sethaile, HER Voice Ambassador, Botswana, to explore the work that is being done to end HIV and AIDS in adolescent girls and young women.

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]]> We’re back with another episode of (RED) Talks, our digital series of frank conversations exploring the current state of the fight against HIV/AIDS, its impact on marginalized communities, and present opportunities to shine a spotlight on the need for investment.

Every day, over 550 young women contract HIV. To end this injustice, we must increase programs that h​​elp empower young women and girls to be in control of their health and well-being.

Ahead of International Day of the Girl, Cathy Ferrier, Head of Positive Action, ViiV Healthcare, Rukia Männikkö, Community, Rights and Gender Regional Advisor & Focal Point for Africa and Middle East, The Global Fund, Yacine Djibo, Executive Director, Speak Up Africa, and Millicent Sethaile, HER Voice Ambassador, Botswana, join Jennifer Lotito, (RED) President and COO, for an episode of (RED) Talks exploring the work that’s being done to end HIV and AIDS in adolescent girls and young women.

This episode of (RED) Talks is generously sponsored by ViiV Healthcare.

  • Key questions addressed in this episode:
  • – Where are we in the AIDS crisis today and how and why are women and girls hit the hardest by this crisis? 
  • -What are some of the efforts being done by ViiV Healthcare regarding HIV and AIDS, especially in priority populations such as adolescent girls and young women? 
  • -What is some of the work being done by Yacine Djibo from Speak Up Africa regarding women and girls in West and Central Africa? 
  • -From Yacine Djibo’s vantage point, what types of policies and initiatives should be invested in to empower women and girls to ensure they have a voice in decisions that affect their health and well-being? 
  • -What motivated Millicent Sethaile to become a HER Voice ambassador? How did the role in the HER Voice fund impact Millicent’s life and the lives of adolescent girls and women? 
  • -From Millicent’s perspective, what should be done to empower adolescent girls and young women to ensure they have a voice in decisions that affect their health and well-being? 
  • -Beyond the HER Voice program, what are some of the other ways the Global Fund is improving global health for women and girls? When companies partner with (RED) to support the Global fund, what types of programs are those grants supporting? 
  • –Recently, the Global Fund, ViiV, and GSK partnered on a new initiative and fund focused on women and girls. What makes this particular partnership special and unique? 
  • -What is one trend or innovation that is being seen in global health that showcases hope for women and girls?

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]]> (RED) Talks—Empowered Partners: ViiV Healthcare https://www.red.org/reditorial/red-talks/empowered-partners-viiv-healthcare/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 21:15:00 +0000 https://red.org/?p=1123 In this episode of (RED) Talks, (RED) President and COO, Jennifer Lotito and CEO of @ViiVhealthcareHIV and President of GSK Global Health, Deborah Waterhouse discuss the power of partnership in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

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]]> We’re back with another episode of (RED) Talks, our digital series of frank conversations exploring the current state of the fight against HIV/AIDS, its impact on marginalized communities, and present opportunities to shine a spotlight on the need for investment.

Many of the biggest challenges facing the HIV/AIDS fight, including access and equity, are too great for any single organization or company to solve.

Only by working together are we able to make 1+1=3. In this episode of (RED) Talks, Deborah Waterhouse, CEO of ViiV Healthcare and President of GSK Global Health, joins Jennifer Lotito, President and COO of (RED), to explore the power of partnership in the fight against HIV and AIDS.

This series is generously sponsored by ViiV Healthcare.

  • Key questions addressed in this episode:
  • – The average life expectancy of somebody living with HIV has changed exponentially. What impact has this had in shaping Deborah Waterhouse’s career? What’s changed and what hasn’t in the AIDS fight?
  • – How did Deborah Waterhouse’s broad range of experience help shape her career and forge her leadership style? 
  • – What advice could be given to young women and girls who are hoping to get into the life science field and someday climb the corporate ladder? 
  • – What are the origins of the ViiV model and what prompted GSK and Pfizer to establish an HIV and AIDS-focused business? 
  • – What does the word partnership mean to Deborah Waterhouse and how is ViiV Healthcare advancing the value of partnership? 
  • – What is encouraging Deborah Waterhouse in the AIDS fight?

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]]> (RED) Talks—From Harm to Hope: Harm Reduction in the Fight Against HIV https://www.red.org/reditorial/learn/red-talks-from-harm-to-hope-harm-reduction-in-the-fight-against-hiv/ Fri, 05 May 2023 21:10:00 +0000 https://red.org/?p=1109 In this episode of (RED) Talks, (RED) President and COO Jennifer Lotito and Jenny Cozins, Director, Strategic Partnerships- Positive Action, ViiV Healthcare, discuss harm reduction in the AIDS fight, and efforts to reduce the risks associated with drug use that increase HIV infection rates.

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]]> We’re back with another episode of (RED) Talks, our digital series of frank conversations exploring the current state of the fight against HIV/AIDS, its impact on marginalized communities, and present opportunities to shine a spotlight on the need for investment.

(RED), the organization co-founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver to fight AIDS and the injustices that enable pandemics to thrive, is proud to announce the second season of (RED) Talks, sponsored by ViiV Healthcare. This multi-part, digital series of frank conversations will examine the current state of the AIDS fight, its impact on marginalized communities – including women and girls – and present opportunities to shine a spotlight on the need for investments in the AIDS fight.

To mark Harm Reduction Day (May 7th), (RED) President and COO Jennifer Lotito will sit down with Jenny Cozins, Director, Strategic Partnerships – Positive Action, ViiV Healthcare to discuss harm reduction in the AIDS fight, and efforts to reduce the risks associated with drug use that increase HIV infection rates. In 2019, roughly 10% of all new HIV infections were among people who inject drugs. If we want to end the threat of AIDS, we must stop the discrimination, stigma and spread by supporting life-saving interventions and programs that target those who are most vulnerable.

  • Key questions addressed in this episode:
  • -What is the significance of Harm Reduction Day and what does the data tell us about the nexus between the people who inject drugs and the fight against HIV? 
  • -How did the issue of HIV become a priority for ViiV Healthcare?
  • -How is ViiV Healthcare working to address the problems of the gender gap in harm reduction? 
  • -How have the programs from ViiV Healthcare changed the lives of humans? In particular, the story of Marvin in Wakiso, Uganda? 
  • -What are some of the similarities and differences in the harm reduction efforts in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia? 
  • -How does one reduce both societal stigma towards people living with HIV, and self-stigma to create an environment where everyone feels comfortable accessing vital healthcare services? 
  • -What is something that can be discussed that can share a positive note and hope for the fight in where we’re going in the future?

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]]> (RED) Talks—The Honey Pot Company’s Beatrice Dixon on Fighting Global Health Inequalities https://www.red.org/reditorial/red-talks/reditorial-red-talks-the-honey-pot-companys-beatrice-dixon-on-fighting-global-health-inequalities-s1-ep-4/ Mon, 19 Dec 2022 21:06:00 +0000 https://red.org/?p=1100 In the fourth episode of (RED) Talks, (RED) President and COO, Jennifer Lotito and CEO & Co-founder of The Honey Pot Company, Beatrice Dixon, share a powerful conversation about global health inequalities.

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]]> We’re back with another episode of (RED) Talks, our digital series of frank conversations exploring the current state of the fight against HIV/AIDS, its impact on marginalized communities, and present opportunities to shine a spotlight on the need for investment.

Beatrice Dixon, CEO & Co-founder of The Honey Pot Company, joined Jennifer Lotito, President & COO of (RED), for a powerful conversation about global health inequalities and how The Honey Pot Company and (RED) are fighting to ensure everyone, everywhere has access to critical resources.

  • Key questions addressed in this episode:
  • – What is the Honey Pot Company?
  • – What has the experience of being a woman entrepreneur been like for The Honey Pot Company CEO and Co-founder, Beatrice Dixon? 
  • – How do health injustices resonate with Beatrice Dixon and how has this related to The Honey Pot Company? 
  • – What made Beatrice Dixon partner with (RED)?
  • – Where can you purchase The Honey Pot Company products?

The post (RED) Talks—The Honey Pot Company’s Beatrice Dixon on Fighting Global Health Inequalities appeared first on RED.

]]> (RED) Talks—Ending HIV Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women https://www.red.org/reditorial/red-talks/reditorial-red-talks-ending-hiv-among-adolescent-girls-and-young-women-s1-ep-3/ Wed, 27 Jul 2022 21:05:00 +0000 https://red.org/?p=1097 In the third episode of (RED) Talks, (RED) President and COO Jennifer Lotito discusses ending HIV among adolescent girls and young women with Janet Saul, Director of Gender Programming, Office of the US Global AIDS Coordinator, Cathy Ferrier, Head of Positive Action at ViiV Healthcare, Sibulele Sibaca, Speaker, Author, Entrepreneur and Founder of Impact Drivers and Siobhan Crowley, Head of HIV, The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The post (RED) Talks—Ending HIV Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women appeared first on RED.

]]> We’re back with another episode of (RED) Talks, our digital series of frank conversations exploring the current state of the fight against HIV/AIDS, its impact on marginalized communities, and present opportunities to shine a spotlight on the need for investment.

In the third episode of (RED) Talks, (RED) President and COO Jennifer Lotito chats with Janet Saul, Director of Gender Programming, Office of the US Global AIDS Coordinator, Cathy Ferrier, Head of Positive Action at ViiV Healthcare, Sibulele Sibaca, Speaker, Author, Entrepreneur and Founder of Impact Drivers SA, & Siobhan Crowley, Head of HIV, The Global Fund

This series is generously supported by ViiV Healthcare

  • Key questions addressed in this episode:
  • -According to Janet Saul, where are we in the AIDS crisis today and how and why is the impact on women and girls so severe? 
  • -What are the Positive Action community grants that ViiV Healthcare Supports? 
  • -Beyond the Her Voice Program, what are some of the other ways that The Global Fund is helping strengthen global health for women and girls? 
  • -Why is the empowerment of young girls so important to Sibulele Sibaca? 
  • -What is the work that Sibulele Sibaca is doing through impact drivers and is there anything that the viewers can do to support it? 
  • -What is Dreams Program and how has it countering the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic? 
  • -What is the role that Cathy Ferrier believes the private sector should play in improving the lives of women and girls and building stronger health systems? 
  • -What makes the seventh replenishment by The Global Fund so important? 
  • -What is one trend or innovation in global health that gives hope that women and girls will have a better future?

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