Landmark HIV/AIDS Publication Launches At International AIDS Society Conference In Mexico City

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Also Included In: Conferences
Article Date: 06 Aug 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, with support from the "A Day in the Life of Africa" Foundation/Tides Foundation, the U.S. Government, Harvard University and others, unveiled a comprehensive guide to improving and expanding HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment efforts in resource-limited settings. Dr. Richard Marlink, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation's Vice President of Program Implementation, led the development of this groundbreaking new resource, and provided a preview of the publication at the International AIDS Society Conference in Mexico City.

From the Ground Up: Building Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Care Programs in Resource-Limited Settings is a three-volume publication containing practical guidance designed and written toward health care providers, managers, policy makers, and implementers, as well as the academic community.

"This guide distills our experiences over the past two decades from a wide range of international HIV/AIDS efforts, with a special focus on sub-Saharan Africa," said Dr. Marlink. "In this new era of expanded funding, a documentation of lessons being learned, in addition to the latest knowledge concerning the evolving 'science' of implementing care programs in resource constrained settings, is critically important."

More than 230 authors from many of the world's leading public health institutions contributed to the text, sharing their first-hand experiences and recommendations for the benefit of the international HIV/AIDS community. All chapters are presented in a practical and accessible format, providing a comprehensive summary of crucial considerations for international HIV/AIDS programs in the 21st century.

"From the Ground Up is a testament to the importance of working together, highlighting how greater collaboration and communication can enable those working on the front lines to mount new and more effective responses to the HIV/AIDS crisis," said Pamela W. Barnes, the Foundation's president and CEO. "While the road ahead is sure to be challenging, learning from the experiences of our colleagues can help us to end the AIDS pandemic - and come closer to an HIV-free generation."

From the Ground Up's three volumes present a comprehensive approach to implementing international HIV/AIDS programs: building a strong foundation, establishing a framework for success, and developing pathways and partnerships. Throughout the publication there are also profiles of leaders working on the ground on the front lines of the pandemic, written by award-winning journalist John Donnelly, formerly of the Boston Globe, with photographs taken by Dominic Chavez, award-winning photojournalist at the Boston Globe. The books will be published and made widely available to the public in November 2008.

While the printed version will be a valuable resource to HIV medicine and public health practitioners worldwide, the dynamic nature of the global health field requires that frequent updates be made to keep up with the latest advances. To facilitate this process, a second phase of the project is planned that involves the creation of both a Web-based and CD-ROM version of the book. These digital platforms, expected to begin development in early 2009, will support frequent updates to the information contained in the original print version of the text, as well as the addition of a growing body of related content.

Attached documents include content information, key contributors and the roster of the project's Scientific Advisory Board.

About the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is a worldwide leader in the fight against pediatric AIDS. Its innovative research programs, collaborative training initiatives, advocacy efforts, and rapidly expanding international prevention and treatment programs are bringing dramatic changes to the lives of children worldwide.

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
http://www.pedaids.org