Congratulations to the Winners of the Children’s Research Prize at the AIDS 2024 Conference

Professor Lorraine Sherr, University College London and Corinna Csaky, The Coalition for Children Affected by AIDS

Putting people first in the HIV response is about acknowledging that everyone matters, equally. And striving to ensure everyone enjoys the same rights; including – and especially – those ordinarily last in line.  It’s about taking the time to consider their needs; finding out what it’s like to walk in their shoes, what barriers lie in their way; and what services and support work best for them. It’s about investing in them; making them a priority; standing in solidarity; and supporting them to lead the way.  

For many years now, the Coalition for Children Affected by AIDS has co-sponsored the Children’s Research Prize with the International AIDS Society. In doing so, we are sending the message that children, adolescents and caregivers matter. We are drawing attention to the need for research to understand their needs; and to identify what will realise their potential.  We are saying put them first.

We cannot end AIDS without prioritising children and adolescents.  Their ability to start free and stay free of HIV is critical – both for them and for ending the epidemic for all.  Yet the number of new HIV infections amongst children is more than eight times the global target. Almost half of all children living with HIV are not on treatment. And while children represent only 4% of people living with HIV, they account for 13% of AIDS-related deaths.  Progress for children has stagnated and, in some countries, reversed.

Now is the time to put children first.  We have unprecedented momentum reinforced by The Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children. As well as new international commitments on maternal and child health and on financing for HIV testing and treatment.  We urge everyone not to miss this moment.

Evidence is the cornerstone of change.  It must be the basis upon which decisions are made.  It is a travesty that children lag far behind adults in the HIV response. And a key reason for this, is the lack of evidence generated about them.  We encourage everyone to prioritize research into children and adolescents affected by HIV; and to make children and adolescents more visible in data shaping the HIV response including PHIA surveys, World Health Organization Statistics and the UNAIDS needs assessment.

This prize is just a small part of the solution.  We thank the IAS for being a vital co-sponsor. And we thank Professor Tonya Thurman of the Tulane University School of Public Health for helping us to judge this year’s abstracts.  We also thank and celebrate everyone of you who submitted an abstract on children, adolescents and caregivers. Your work is vital and please feel appreciated, even if you were not selected for this prize.

We are in the ‘last mile’ of the HIV response, where the focus must be on those with complex needs. Therefore, this year we chose two winners who’s research sheds light on children, adolescents and caregivers facing wider issues of violence and poor mental health.

We are thrilled to announce that our two joint winners are: 

  • Salome Kuchukhidze on The impact of intimate partner violence on vertical HIV transmission in 2022: a modelling analysis of 42 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Dana Wai Shin Chow looking at the integration of a mental health referral system within adolescent HIV clinics.  

Congratulations to both of them!