HIV + AIDS

To help achieve the global goal of HIV elimination, our main research program objectives are to:

• develop, implement and sustain approaches to support the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HIV
• develop and maintain innovative and cutting-edge approaches that monitor and model the HIV epidemic, and inform refinements to the HIV response
• improve our understanding of the health and social needs of people living with HIV, and inform, implement and evaluate strategies for improving their health, wellbeing and quality of life.

In Australia, it is estimated that more than 27,500 people are living with HIV, but more than 10-12 per cent remain undiagnosed. Burnet’s HIV: Reaching the Unmet program aims to address this gap.

To achieve our goals, we have adopted a multi-disciplinary approach to address the HIV epidemic in Australia. We are applying our local capacity to help inform responses across the region and globally. Working collaboratively with partners, we provide strategic leadership to drive innovation in the HIV response.

Our research focuses on the four pillars towards eliminating HIV:

• prevention and vaccines
• testing
• modelling and surveillance
• treatment and quality of life.

More specifically, our strategies for achieving HIV elimination include:

• maintaining and building upon close collaborations with representatives from key populations and people living with HIV in Australia and in resource-constrained settings to guide our work
• developing, implementing and expanding innovative HIV surveillance systems and bio-behavioural data collection and analyses that enhance our understanding of HIV risk and protective behaviours among vulnerable populations
• working in partnerships with government and civil society to strengthen health systems and reduce social and legislative marginalisation and stigma of HIV-risk populations
• generating evidence to guide innovative biomedical interventions and communication technology tools for HIV prevention, and facilitating and advocating for their implementation
• undertaking implementation and demonstration projects, and mathematical modelling, that supports and identifies the most cost-effective way to expand HIV testing, treatment and primary prevention
• advocating for and developing evidence to support peer involvement and leadership in HIV prevention programs
• developing HIV vaccine candidates, new drug classes, microbicides, and diagnostics for prioritisation in clinical studies
• implementing new diagnostic tools for the rapid detection of people needing HIV treatment in resource-constrained settings
• gaining a better understanding of the biological, social, political and structural factors that lead to exacerbated HIV risk for adolescent girls and women to help guide responses to redress these gender inequalities.