FHI 360 researches and applies the latest scientific breakthroughs to develop bold solutions and achieve measurable results in response to the global AIDS crisis. While the global health community has made great strides toward HIV epidemic control, AIDS claimed a life every minute in 2022, according to a recent UNAIDS report.
Progress against the disease is uneven. Some countries have already reached the United Nations’ ambitious target for achieving epidemic control by 2025, which is known as “95-95-95.” These targets mean, for the countries that committed to achieving them, that 95% of all people living with HIV know their status; 95% of people diagnosed with HIV are accessing treatment; and 95% of people receiving antiretroviral therapy are virally suppressed. However, many countries lag behind.
The HIV epidemic continues to affect key populations more than the general population. Key populations include sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, and people who inject drugs, who experience some of the greatest challenges accessing HIV prevention, testing and treatment due to stigma, discrimination, violence, and punitive laws and practices.
Despite the multifaceted nature of the epidemic, “the path to ending AIDS is clear,” notes the UNAIDS report. “We have a solution if we follow the leadership of countries that have forged strong political commitment to put people first and invest in evidence-based HIV prevention and treatment programmes.”
FHI 360 has demonstrated its commitment to reaching HIV epidemic control through decades of research, policy initiatives, program interventions, and engagement with community organizations. Read more below about how we are putting HIV services within reach.
Nepal
Ramita*, who lives in Janakpur, Nepal, receives health services — including pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) — at a clinic supported by the Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) project. FHI 360 is the lead implementer for EpiC, which is funded by PEPFAR (the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). *Name has been changed. Photo credit: Pramin Manandhar for FHI 360
Tanzania
Having practical skills can help reduce vulnerability to HIV exposure. The EpiC project developed economic strengthening hubs in Shinyanga, Tanzania, to teach adolescent girls and young women skills such as tailoring and computer literacy. Here, an adolescent girl named Eva smiles while working at a tailoring mart using skills she learned from EpiC. In addition to teaching skills, the hubs create a platform for participants to receive HIV services. FHI 360 is the lead implementer for EpiC, which is funded by PEPFAR and USAID. Photo credit: Agness John/FHI 360
Kenya, Lesotho, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe
Staff members from the Maximizing Options to Advance Informed Choice for HIV Prevention (MOSAIC) project’s CATALYST study strike a pose during a workshop for HIV prevention ambassadors. MOSAIC aims to expand the options for HIV prevention via research, technical assistance and capacity strengthening. It is led by FHI 360 and funded by PEPFAR through USAID. CATALYST is MOSAIC’s flagship product introduction study that will evaluate the delivery of HIV prevention methods to women in five African countries over several years. Photo credit: Brian Ssewankambo/MOSAIC
Dominican Republic
Ruth, a counselor at the Yolanda Guzmán Clinic in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, poses for the camera. Yolanda Guzmán Clinic was part of the Health System Strengthening and HIV Services (HS3) project, led by FHI 360, which aimed to reach Haitian migrants and their descendants living in the Dominican Republic and connect them to HIV testing, treatment and care. In recent years, the HIV epidemic in the country has more directly affected Haitian migrants, people of Haitian descent, and women. The HS3 project was funded by PEPFAR through USAID. Photo credit: Gabriela Rancier/Productora Comando for FHI 360
Mozambique
For the Integrated HIV Prevention and Health Services for Key and Priority Populations (PASSOS) project, FHI 360 used a peer outreach model in an effort to reduce the spread of HIV among key and priority populations in Mozambique. Peer educators like Silvia (left) and Serafina (right), pictured here at an HIV testing site in downtown Maputo, provided information to sex workers about HIV prevention, testing and treatment, as well as violence prevention and support services. The PASSOS project, now called the PASSOS+ project, was funded by PEPFAR and USAID. Photo credit: Mbuto Machili for FHI 360
India
In India, the EpiC project supports organizations led by key populations to develop social enterprises that advance their missions in creative ways and generate sustainable revenue. Pictured here is Shyam, co-founder and director of the Mist LGBTQ Foundation based in Pune. In 2017, Mist started QueerBazaar — an online platform that makes Pride merchandise easily available in India at affordable prices. QueerBazaar began with a few handmade accessories and now sells more than 100 products, both online and in-person. FHI 360 is the lead implementer for EpiC, which is funded by PEPFAR and USAID. Photo credit: Anita Khemka for FHI 360
