Forty years into the HIV pandemic, people from vulnerable populations remain at much higher risk of acquiring HIV as compared to those from the general population. More than half of new HIV infections in 2023 occurred among people from vulnerable populations and their sexual partners.
Vulnerable populations are groups who due to specific behaviors have an increased vulnerability to HIV.
Addressing the differentiated preferences and needs of these populations is critical to achieving HIV epidemic control. So FHI 360 invests in new strategies to address the complex and dynamic challenges that have kept epidemic control out of reach among these groups.
40+
Countries in which FHI 360 has delivered technical assistance to support vulnerable populations
115+
Organizations led by LGBTQI+ individuals and other marginalized groups with which we have formal partnerships
40+
Countries in which we have strengthened the capacity of local key population-led organizations
To help achieve HIV epidemic control among vulnerable populations, we:
- Provide technical assistance and direct service delivery to design and implement state-of-the-art key population programming.
- Work with governments to update policies, guidelines and financing structures to support HIV services, including HIV prevention efforts, for vulnerable populations.
- Help governments and local partners strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems by streamlining processes that improve efficiency in data collection, reporting and utilization.
- Improve access to new technologies, such as HIV self-testing and PrEP, and community-based services to provide a range of health services that are tailored to vulnerable populations.
- Work with, support and build the capacity of key population-led communities and civil society organizations.
- Train clinical service providers on how to provide stigma-free HIV services.
- Adhere to the principle of “nothing about us without us” and put key population and LGBTQI+ organizations and members at the forefront of project design, implementation and evaluation.
Key population resources from the EpiC project
Strengthening data use to support key population programming
FHI 360, through the EpiC project, designed the “Standardized DHIS2 Tracker Metadata Package for HIV Programs” and rolled it out in 19 countries. The package, which supports HIV case management, was built to support key and priority populations but can be broadly applied to any HIV prevention, care and treatment program.
