Population Council Research that makes a difference

Impact

• The Population Council has received support from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) to explore the role of dendritic cells and T cells in HIV transmission across the mucosal surfaces of the body and how transmission is modulated by herpes simplex virus type 2 and other dendritic cell stimuli. The NIH is also supporting research on the role of integrin α4β7 in the vaginal transmission of HIV.
• The Council’s Phase 3 clinical trial of the candidate microbicide Carraguard® was the first Phase 3 trial of a novel candidate microbicide to be conducted among a general population of women and completed as planned without any safety concerns—a milestone for microbicides development. Our trial determined Carraguard was safe for use during vaginal sex but did not show that it is effective in preventing HIV transmission. Lessons learned are being used to develop future candidate microbicides.
• In Kenya, the Council’s work dispelled the myth that men who have sex with men (MSM) do not exist and contributed to the Kenya National AIDS Control Council to include MSM in national HIV policy for the first time.
• We have received support from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the UK Department for International Development to test groundbreaking approaches for using technology to provide information and track the use of services by men most at risk of HIV in Nigeria. This project will use Web-based information portals, telephone hotlines, and mobile short message services to deliver targeted HIV messages. “Smartcards” presented by men at the point-of-service will allow the program managers to monitor referrals, service use, and links to other services, such as treatment groups.
• We are the research partner in the Male Circumcision Partnership, which was recently awarded a five-year, $50 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This partnership is led by Population Services International and also includes Marie Stopes International and Jhpiego. Working with the governments of Swaziland and Zambia, the partnership estimates that the project will provide voluntary male circumcision services to nearly 650,000 men.
• The Caregiver Project, developed by the Population Council in South Africa, is helping HIV-positive children access life-saving medical treatment and providing an outreach model that can be replicated across Africa.

 

Resources

Selected publications

• The Population Council's HIV and AIDS program (PDF)
  Fact sheet
  Publication date: 2012
• Microbicide research and development (PDF)
  Fact sheet
  Publication Date: 2012
• Addressing HIV among the most at-risk populations (PDF)
  Fact sheet
  Publication Date: 2012
• HIV among youth (PDF)
  Fact sheet
  Publication Date: 2012
  
  

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Selected projects

• Documenting Avahan, the India AIDS Initiative (more)
  The Population Council is synthesizing and analyzing the wealth of data collected by Avahan to gain insight that will guide future initiatives for HIV prevention in India and other countries with similar concentrated epidemics.
  (1/2009 - 1/2014)
  India
  HIV prevention; Injecting drug users; Men who have sex with men; Mobile populations; Sex workers
  
• Evaluation of Services for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, People Living with HIV/AIDS and Youth in Zambia (RAPIDS) (more)
  The Council is evaluating the RAPIDS program, which offers a holistic package of care and support services aimed at improving the quality of life of people who are living with HIV, children living within their households, and youth within their communities.
  (8/2004 - 8/2010)
  Zambia
  Monitoring and evaluation; Orphans and vulnerable children; People living with HIV
  
• Identifying and Testing Children at Increased Risk for HIV Through Caregivers: The Caregiver Project (more)
  The Caregiver Project addresses the need for increased pediatric HIV testing and early diagnosis in South Africa.
  (10/2007 - 9/2010)
  South Africa
  HIV care, support, and treatment; HIV prevention; Orphans and vulnerable children; PMTCT and pediatric HIV
  
• Male Circumcision Partnership: Achieving Scale (more)
  The Male Circumcision Partnership is establishing multisectoral provider networks for high-quality adult male circumcision services.
  (1/2009 - 1/2014)
  Swaziland, Zambia
  Male circumcision; Sexuality and sexual behavior
  
• Transmission of Immunodeficiency Viruses (more)
  Understanding how human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is transmitted during sexual intercourse and how co-pathogens impact HIV spread is a focus of Council research.
  (1/2005 - ongoing)
  United States
  HIV biomedical research