IAPAC, HIV Advocates, and AbbVie Issue Consensus Statement Calling for Improved Care for Women Living with HIV

WASHINGTON, March 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- An international expert steering committee focused on women's issues released a consensus statement today to raise awareness of the need to improve care for women living with HIV. The consensus statement was developed as a part of the See Us: Women Take a Stand on HIV (See Us) initiative that AbbVie and community partners, including the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), launched in late 2013 to help women living with HIV receive the care and support they deserve.

"Globally, 49 percent of all adults living with HIV are women,¹ representing the fastest-growing population of people living with the virus worldwide.²  And, while more women living with HIV are accessing care and living longer, much remains to be done," said Imane Sidibe, MSc, IAPAC's Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives. "The consensus statement, along with additional activities in 2014, will raise awareness of the unique challenges faced by women living with HIV."

The consensus statement states:

HIV affects as many women as men worldwide¹, yet the challenges faced by these women can be muted by stigma and misunderstanding. Women living with HIV deserve access to comprehensive and individualized care, information, and support that is free from discrimination. As a global community, we must collectively help women access the care and support they rightfully deserve. We aim to ensure women have the tools and resources to engage in productive dialogue that strives to improve their care.

Building on the consensus statement, the See Us steering committee will meet throughout 2014 to help raise awareness about women living with HIV and, ultimately, encourage these women to foster a sense of community and to have a voice in the global landscape with respect to their own care. The steering committee also is developing a needs assessment tool to help identify a woman's individual care needs and facilitate improved discussions with their healthcare providers.

"AbbVie is committed to helping women living with HIV globally through ongoing collaborations and programs like See Us," said Marisol Martinez-Tristani, MD, Medical Director in Global Medical Affairs at AbbVie. "We look forward to continuing our work in this area to better understand and break down barriers to HIV care for women around the world."

About See Us: Women Take a Stand on HIV
See Us: Women Take a Stand on HIV is an international awareness campaign created by AbbVie and an international steering committee composed of women living with and affected by HIV, the medical community through the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), and NAM/aidsmap.  The campaign seeks to raise awareness of women living with HIV by encouraging them to forge a sense of community so that ultimately they are empowered to advocate for their own needs. The campaign is made possible through funding provided by AbbVie.

Women: The New Face of HIV
Every minute, one woman is infected by HIV, mainly through sexual transmission.¹ Globally, some 49 percent of all adults living with HIV are female.¹ Women have different care considerations from men, including pregnancy, increased risk for cervical cancer, and premature menopause and osteoporosis.³ HIV is the leading cause of death in women of reproductive age around the world⁴, many of whom are diagnosed when they become pregnant.⁵  

About IAPAC
The International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) represents more than 20,000 clinicians and allied health care professionals in over 100 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of prevention, care, treatment, and support services provided to men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS. Visit www.iapac.org for more information about IAPAC and its global activities.

About AbbVie
AbbVie is a global, research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013 following separation from Abbott Laboratories.  The company's mission is to use its expertise, dedicated people, and unique approach to innovation to develop and market advanced therapies that address some of the world's most complex and serious diseases. Visit www.abbvie.com for further information about AbbVie. 

¹ Women Out Loud. UNAIDS. Accessed Sept. 26, 2013
² AIDS Epidemic Update December 2004. UNAIDS and WHO. Accessed Sept. 26, 2013
³ Guide for HIV/AIDS Clinical Care of HIV-Infected Women through the Life Cycle. US DHHS. Accessed Sept. 26, 2013
⁴ Women and Health. WHO. Accessed Sept. 26, 2013
⁵ Global HIV/AIDS Response Epidemic Update and Health Sector Progress Towards Universal Access. Accessed Sept. 26, 2013

SOURCE International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC)