Comments on: Community Engagement in NIAID’s HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Networks http://blog.aids.gov/2011/09/community-engagement-in-niaid%e2%80%99s-hivaids-clinical-trials-networks.html HIV Policy & Programs. Research. New Media. Tue, 21 May 2013 20:39:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Sista Yaa (TACTS) Chicago http://blog.aids.gov/2011/09/community-engagement-in-niaid%e2%80%99s-hivaids-clinical-trials-networks.html#comment-36218 Sista Yaa (TACTS) Chicago Mon, 03 Oct 2011 19:01:08 +0000 http://blog.aids.gov/?p=4040#comment-36218 Thank you Dr. Carl D. for this timely message and hopefully for the 2013 NIAID restructuring process there will also be more inclusion of local level community-based organizations within Networks as the role for CABS are becoming increasingly demanding.
The advent of PreP, other biomedical methods and a focus on testing and treatment, advocates are needed to prepare communities for the results from the various current clinical trials. Specifically for HPTN 065 TLC trial, that utilized community organizations to assist in the testing and referral process. With great optimism, one expects these types of community engaging trials will continue in other high prevalent areas.
At the 2011 United State Conference on AIDS (USCA), for the first time in it’s 15 years existence, will be held in Chicago. The target population is Men that have had Sex with Men (MSM), HIV and treatment advocacy. Highlighted at this conference is advocacy for treatment literacy as a major component for treatment adherence, treatment for prevention (TasP)and national policies, like the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. As stated in Hightow-Weidman & et al., (2011) article on HIV-Positive Men of Color MSM “of those youth who were started on ART, the majority (74%) did achieve undetectable viral loads (<400 copies)”. (Hightow-Weidman, 2011) This study possibly provides some evidence that treatment is an option. And if there is an option for reducing one’s viral load, there is the possibility for reducing the transmission of the virus. This is the kind of evidence that advocates must promote to their communities in order to prepare them future prevention strategies, harm reduction interventions and defeating stigma.
TACTS (The Association of Clinical Trial Services) a non-profit CBO located in Chicago, is a NHVREI, NMAC and Chicago BTAN partner,(and familiar with the Legacy Project) will be presenting at the 2011 USCA a workshop on Getting More CBOs to Become Involved in Clinical Trials. Between CAB members and CBO’s staff, they can forge more collaborative efforts to increase the level of participation in clinical trial research. These will be the advocates that will play a significant role for community concerns as well as, be liaisons for both the researchers and their constituents!

Hightow-Weidman,L., Jones, k., Phillips II, G.,Wohl, A.,and Giordano, T. (August 2011).
The YMSM of Color SPNS Initiative Study Group. AIDS Patient Care and STDs. 25(S1): S9-S14.
doi:10.1089/apc.2011.9881.

]]> By: Reuben Hambulo http://blog.aids.gov/2011/09/community-engagement-in-niaid%e2%80%99s-hivaids-clinical-trials-networks.html#comment-31743 Reuben Hambulo Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:22:28 +0000 http://blog.aids.gov/?p=4040#comment-31743 Community engagement through CABs held remove fear & suspicion of wrong motives by researchers.

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