IeDEA Asia-Pacific Research Collaboration

Foundation For Aids Research, New York NY

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section Among the 5.8 million people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Asia-Pacific region, a growing number are facing their second or even third decade living with the virus. Goals for long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) now include preventing cancer and cardiovascular disease, and supporting mental health, as well as maintaining viral suppression. To ensure that PLHIV age well, we need to prevent and manage their co-infections and co- morbidities. However, while countries like Cambodia and Thailand are close to reaching the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets, only 60% of all Asia-Pacific PLHIV are on ART. In addition, with the highest global burdens of chronic hepatitis B (154 million) and C (24 million), and the largest annual burden of tuberculosis (TB; 4.6 million), there is increasing competition for limited resources and for the support of health policymakers. This is especially a concern for settings with low overall HIV prevalence but high prevalence among populations at greatest risk. In order to achieve long-lasting health gains for people living with, and at risk for, HIV in the Asia- Pacific, data-driven public health approaches are needed that integrate clinical care and research across diseases, and target communities at greatest risk of the poorest outcomes. Over the past 15 years, the IeDEA Asia-Pacific Research Collaboration has successfully directed a network of over 50 clinical centers across 13 countries to implement a complex and highly productive research program, aimed at evaluating the impact of HIV on populations and programs to inform regional clinical practice and public health policy. As we build on our prior work, we have adapted our research strategy to better capture data on shifts and gaps in the HIV care continuum and respond to emerging priorities. We will achieve the specific aims by implementing a cross-cutting research portfolio of innovative studies that will advance HIV epidemic control, and improve the quality and durability of HIV care, treatment, and prevention efforts in the Asia-Pacific region. Through a combination of national, regional, and multiregional longitudinal cohort studies, registry and database linkages, and priority sub-studies, we will substantially contribute research on HIV, TB, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, substance use, and youth and other populations.