Highlights from Day 4 of AIDS 2022: Reflections from Dr. Fauci and ADM Levine, Research Update, and Lessons from a Montreal Clinic

On the fourth day of the 24th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2022), HIV.gov heard more examples of engaging the community in all aspects of the HIV response and learned more about the latest HIV research and the directions it is heading. We spoke with U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health ADM Rachel Levine about the new “I am a Work of ART” campaign and spoke with NIH’s Dr. Anthony Fauci about key messages from his conference plenary address. View the day four highlights video below, followed by our full conversations with the White House’s Harold Phillips and NIH’s Dr. Maureen Goodenow, Dr. Fauci, ADM Levine and HHS’ Kaye Hayes, and NIH’s Dr. Carl Dieffenbach.

ONAP Director Phillips and NIH’s Dr. Goodenow Discuss Innovations Seen at Montreal Clinic

After their visit to a local Montreal clinic, HIV.gov spoke with Harold Phillips, MRP, Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, and Maureen Goodenow, PhD, Associate Director for AIDS Research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Director of the NIH Office of AIDS Research. These two federal HIV leaders noted that they were impressed by several of the innovations put in place at the clinic by young physicians seeking to better reach and engage young people. These practices included implementing online scheduling, streamlining clinic visits by collecting much data online beforehand, allowing sample self-collection, testing for asymptomatic STIs, and expanding hours to better meet the needs of those seeking sexual health services. Mr. Phillips also reflected on common themes at the site visit and the conference and how both could inspire and inform work in the United States. Watch our conversation with Mr. Phillips and Dr. GoodenowExit Disclaimer.

Dr. Fauci Shares Highlights from His AIDS 2022 Plenary Address

Anthony Fauci, MD, Director of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the Chief Medical Advisor to President Biden, joined HIV.gov to discuss some of the key points of his July 31 conference plenary address. He discussed continued progress in HIV vaccine research, including efforts to develop a vaccine that induces broadly neutralizing antibodies. He also reflected on how HIV vaccine research played an important role in the rapid development of a COVID-19 vaccine and how the success of mRNA vaccines for COVID has, in turn, created excitement in the field of HIV vaccine research. In addition, Dr. Fauci highlighted research presented at AIDS 2022 by his NIH colleague Dr. Eli BoritzExit Disclaimer, which he characterized as a potentially ground-breaking step toward a cure for HIV. Finally, Dr. Fauci looked toward the future and shared what he hopes will be in discussion at the 2024 International AIDS Conference. Watch our conversation with Dr. FauciExit Disclaimer.

Admiral Levine Shares Highlights from Her Time at the Conference

HIV.gov also spoke with Admiral Rachel Levine, MD, Assistant Secretary for Health, HHS, about her time at the conference. She highlighted a session on substance use disorder and HIV at which she spoke, noting that HHS is working to address the syndemic of substance use disorder, HIV, and hepatitis C through a variety of interventions, including evidence-based syringe services programs. She also remarked on a session she joined for the global debut of the HHS “I am a Work of ART” campaign, which features the inspiring voices of several people with HIV sharing their stories about the benefits of HIV treatment. In our conversation, ADM Levine was joined by her colleague, B. Kaye Hayes, MPA, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Infectious Disease and Director of the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy, HHS, whose office produced the new campaign. Ms. Hayes praised the featured community members who were engaged throughout the campaign’s development. ADM Levine also remarked about the innovative use of technology she witnessed during her visit to a community-based clinic in Montreal with several HHS colleagues. She also reflected on some of the interactions at the conference that were particularly meaningful to her. Watch our conversation with ADM Levine and Deputy Assistant Secretary HayesExit Disclaimer. 

Research Highlights from NIH’s Dr. Carl Dieffenbach

We spoke again on Tuesday with Carl Dieffenbach, PhD, Director of the Division of AIDS at NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, about more of the conference’s research highlights. Among those he pointed to were presentations by researchers on future directions in HIV vaccine research and how they connect with HIV cure research. He also discussed new data presented on inequities in PrEP useExit Disclaimer in the United States. In addition, Dr. Dieffenbach highlighted what he thought may be the most important breakthrough of the meeting, what he thinks we may be talking about in two years when the conference is held again, and how the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. initiative might influence that conversation. Watch Dr. Dieffenbach’s AIDS 2022 research updateExit Disclaimer.

Also at the Conference

We spoke briefly on Instagram with ADM LevineExit Disclaimer, who talked about the importance of U=U or undetectable = untransmittable. Federal partners also shared these conference-related announcements:

• CDC Response to Doxy-PEP data presented at 2022 International AIDS Conference
• PEPFAR Shows Impact with 5.5 Million Babies Born HIV-Free Due to Comprehensive Program Efforts

HIV.gov at AIDS 2022

AIDS 2022Exit Disclaimer is taking place in Montreal, Canada, and virtually from July 29 to August 2, 2022. It’s the world’s largest conference on HIV and AIDS, bringing together thousands of researchers, policymakers, program implementers, advocates, and others to present and discuss the latest HIV research, move research into action, share innovative programs and practices, and strengthen local, national, and global efforts to end the HIV epidemic. HIV.gov will wrap up our daily conference highlights tomorrow on the blog and on TwitterExit Disclaimer and InstagramExit Disclaimer. You can also catch up on all our video conversations from the conference on our YouTube channelExit Disclaimer.