
COVID-19: Some reflections*
Jane Galvão* On May 4 of this year, the Brazilian composer Aldir Blanc died due to complications caused by COVID-19. His most famous composition, “O bêbado e aequilibrista” (The […]
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COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS: Parallels and Lessons
by Richard Parker* In the COVID-19 pandemic, the history of the emergence of and responses to theHIV/AIDS epidemic offers lessons for reflecting on the current challenges and risks we face. […]
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UNAIDS’ New Community-Led Approach
Under the new leadership of Executive Director Byanyima, UNAIDS has taken visible steps toward repairing the organization’s ineffective and elitist reputation by pressing for a more community-oriented HIV response. Early […]
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Global AIDS Funding
By Lauren S. Campbell In July of 2019, UNAIDS’s released its 2019 Global AIDS Update and admitted to the over ambitious aims of the 90-90-90 fast-track strategy.1 With new HIV […]
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HIV in Brazil and ABIA’s Continued Leadership
Due to a historically progressive human-rights based approach to HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, Brazil has globally been deemed an important standard bearer of the HIV/AIDS response – however, given the […]
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UNAIDS expresses support for the HIV2020 Conference
AIDS2020, the 23rd International AIDS Conference, is projected to be one of the largest international AIDS conferences in the world, however opposition to the choice of San Francisco, California as […]
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The Challenges Ahead for UNAIDS’ New Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima
After a high-profile and controversial selection process, the United Nations announced the appointment of Winnie Byanyima as the new Executive Director of UNAIDS.1 The former Oxfam Director has a strong […]
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HIV 2020 – An Alternative to the IAS AIDS 2020 Conference
Position paper In March of 2018, the International AIDS Society (IAS) announced San Francisco, California as the location of the 23rd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2020).1 AIDS 2020 is projected […]
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The EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement and Its Implications for Access to Medicines
After twenty years of ongoing negotiations, the European Union (EU) and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) have come to agree on a free trade deal that promises to create a new combined market of 800 million people.1 This EU-Mercosur FTA will eliminate 93% of tariffs on Mercosur exports and 91% of tariffs on EU exports.1 With tariff reductions applied to both trading blocs, the EU and Mercosur have both claimed the FTA as a victory for their respective party – however, although free trade deals have the potential to shrink disparities between high and low income countries, there is serious reason for concern that this EU-Mercosur FTA seems to prioritize EU profit interests over Mercosur’s developmental needs.
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UNAIDS needs a new leader to respond to the AIDS epidemic and dismantle the patriarchy in governance
Position paper On June 29th, The Lancet, published a “World Report”1 on the top of five candidates under consideration for the UNAIDS Executive Director position formerly held by Michel Sidibé. […]
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