FRED H. BIXBY
FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
HIV and AIDS Program

Researchers with the Population Council's HIV and AIDS program seek to help arrest the spread of the HIV epidemic in developing countries and to enable people to reduce or eliminate the impact of HIV on their own health, and on the lives of people in their families, communities, and societies. Program research also addresses the connections between sexually transmitted infections and HIV. Activities include conducting basic research in immunology; developing and introducing appropriate biomedical products; carrying out social science and health-related research to understand better the social, behavioral, and biomedical aspects of HIV and AIDS; informing policymakers of research results to enable them to formulate evidence-based policies; and developing, evaluating, and scaling up effective service-delivery models.

Specific activities illustrative of the Population Council’s HIV and AIDS program include:

• Testing the Council-developed microbicide gel Carraguard®, which, if proven effective, would offer women a powerful prevention tool against HIV transmission; and developing "next-generation" formulations combining Carraguard with other compounds such as antiretroviral drugs

• Reducing the risk of HIV infection among the most vulnerable groups: young women, infants, sex workers, and men who have sex with men; and addressing gender norms that increase the chances of infection among all women and men

• Strengthening the effectiveness of treatment by improving patient access and adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapies

• Helping orphans and vulnerable children stay physically and mentally healthy, attend school, and learn livelihood skills. 

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See Also

• Poverty, Gender, and Youth Program

• Reproductive Health Program

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