Early research work
Avert’s brave response to government inaction in the 1980s
The reality in the mid-1980s was that information on HIV was scarce and fragmented as scientists, demographers, social policy decision makers and governments struggled to understand this new, fast evolving, and threatening disease. There was a huge need for research to better understand, prevent and treat HIV.
From its earliest days Avert took the decision to support vital research and publications that helped increase understanding of the facts surrounding HIV. This research went on to inform medical, social and policy decisions in years to come.
From 1987 to 2000 Avert provided funding across three key research areas – medical, social and education, often co-funding with other private funders. Many of the medical research grants ran for multiple years supporting research into the early pathology of HIV.
This is the most striking example we have come across of a worthwhile research project which has been turned down by government agencies and subsequently funded by private means.
Many of the academics and academic teams that Avert supported in these early days continued to work in the HIV response and made invaluable contributions over the decades to follow.
Vertical transmission
Research to better understand the virology and immunology of vertical transmission of HIV in pregnancy was presented at the 1988 International AIDS conference in Stockholm.
Sex workers
A three-year study on lifestyles of female sex workers attending the Praed Street sexual health clinic, drew attention to the need for targeted and tailored population-specific interventions.
PhD sponsorship
Avert's medical research studentship scheme sponsored gifted graduates to work in AIDS research towards a PhD. Areas of research included delivery and effectiveness of new drug treatments and the emergence of drug-resistant strains of HIV.
Achievements
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- research grants supported
- 34
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- million in research funding provided
- £1.2
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- graduate students supported in HIV-relate PhD research
- 9
Photo credits: main image - NIH/NIAID; left box - Simon Moore; centre box - Gustavocarra, Wikimedia Commons; right box - NIH/NIAID. Photos are used for illustrative purposes. They do not imply health status or behaviour.