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Positively Positive - Living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS News Archive - January 2026
New Out of the Closet Thrift Store Increases HIV/AIDS Services in Chicago’s Southside
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- January 31, 2026 - AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) - AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) will open its new Out of the Closet Thrift Store location on Saturday, January 31, 2026 in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood. Local leaders will join AHF executives for a ribbon cutting at 1:00pm at 1709 E. 53rd Street, Chicago, IL.
Out of the Closet Thrift Store (OTC), the nation’s largest nonprofit thrift store chain supporting HIV/AIDS healthcare and advocacy, announces the opening of its newest location in Hyde Park. The store will offer affordable, high-quality clothing, furniture, and home goods, with $0.96 of every dollar earned supporting lifesaving HIV/AIDS services provided by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). The OTC will also offer a non-judgmental, stigma-free, environment to receive confidential, free HIV testing.
Local elected officials and other dignitaries will join AHF leadership for a ribbon-cutting at 1:00pm, Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 1709 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
Pakistan: National Assembly meeting reports whopping 3,00,000 cases of HIV; only 34,000 patients under treatment
Islamabad [Pakistan], January 31 (ANI) - The Tribune - The National Assembly Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (NHSR&C) has made shocking revelations that there are a staggering 3 lakh cases of HIV in the country, with only 34,000 patients being treated, Dawn reported on Saturday
Read more...
STAR 2.0: Miller School to Host Continuation of Multi-center Study of HIV and Young Women in American South
January 30, 2026 - By Robert Benchley - University of Miami - - The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is hosting a kickoff of the second five-year phase of STAR (Study of Treatment and Reproductive Outcomes), a multi-center, longitudinal investigation of HIV and women of reproductive age in the southern region of the United States. -
- The first phase of STAR launched in 2019 and investigated lifestyles and HIV exposure, pregnancy and reproductive health, oral health, novel antiretrovirals, HPV, sexually transmitted infections and mental health. -
- STAR 2.0 is intentionally longitudinal, which will allow researchers to see how events like pregnancy and perimenopause impact study participants. -
February 6 will mark the kickoff of the second five-year phase of STAR (Study of Treatment and Reproductive Outcomes), a multi-center, longitudinal investigation of HIV and women of reproductive age in the southern region of the United States. The meeting, to be hosted by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, will gather researchers and medical leaders from the University of Miami, as well as representatives from 10 other universities, five of whom are co-investigators and five of whom are on an expert advisory panel.
Joining virtually will be representatives of the National Institutes of Health, which has provided $38 million in funding support through the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, with supplemental funding from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Nipah virus disease cases reported in West Bengal, India: very low risk for Europeans
Stockholm, 29/1/2026 - European Centre for Disease Prevention (ECDC) - Two confirmed cases of Nipah virus disease have been reported in West Bengal, India. Based on current information, the risk of infection for people from Europe travelling to or residing in the area is assessed as very low.
uOttawa launches medical hub to accelerate AI-driven health breakthroughs
January 30, 2026 - By David McFadden - University of Ottawa - The Ottawa Medical Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (OMARI) will empower responsible medical AI advances to strengthen healthcare systems and improve patient care.
OMARI will raise awareness about the power of commercialization and next-gen innovation.
The University of Ottawa is launching a new center for research, education and innovation in medical Artificial Intelligence (AI) to facilitate cross-cutting collaborations while sharpening the university’s competitive edge in the this rapidly changing landscape.
Led by Canada Research Chair in Medical Artificial Intelligence Dr. Khaled El Emam, the Ottawa Medical Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (OMARI) will serve as a resource hub for harnessing and scaling medical AI to expedite new research discoveries, enhance education, and help achieve better health equity with data-driven tools.
Ontario study finds gaps in hepatitis C care during pregnancy and after birth
January 29, 2026 - CATIE NEWS - Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) - Researchers reviewed data on 16,888 pregnant people who were screened for hepatitis C
Less than 10% who had active hepatitis C infection started treatment within five years of testing
The researchers call for additional efforts to link people to care during pregnancy or after birth
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects the liver and causes inflammation in this vital organ. As chronic HCV infection sets in, healthy liver tissue is gradually replaced with scar tissue. Over time, the liver becomes increasingly dysfunctional, and a variety of problems ensue. Some people develop persistent fatigue. Later, they can develop internal bleeding, fluid buildup in the abdomen and serious abdominal infections. Eventually, difficulty thinking clearly and problems with memory occur. As the liver becomes increasingly unable to filter waste products from the blood, the skin and whites of the eyes gradually turn yellow (jaundice). The risk of liver cancer increases as the amount of scar tissue expands. If HCV is left undiagnosed and untreated, it can result in death.
AstraZeneca plans to invest $15 billion in China through 2030 to pioneer the next-generation of innovative medicines
29 January 2026 - AstraZeneca - Investment will support delivery of AstraZeneca’s 2030 ambition
AstraZeneca today announced $15 billion investment in China through 2030 to expand medicines manufacturing and R&D. This investment will leverage the country’s scientific excellence, advanced manufacturing, and China-UK healthcare ecosystem collaborations to deliver cutting-edge treatments to patients across China and globally.
Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister, said: “Unlocking opportunities for British businesses across the globe and delivering for working people back home is always the driving force behind my international engagements. AstraZeneca’s expansion and leadership in China will help the British manufacturer continue to grow - supporting thousands of UK jobs. The multi-billion pound investment announced today from AstraZeneca, alongside partnerships from some of our country’s leading universities, furthers research and development in the UK which is helping to power our world class life sciences sector.”
What is Nipah virus? And what makes it so deadly?
January 29, 2026 - By Allen Cheng - The Conversation - An outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus in India has put many countries in Asia on high alert, given the fatality rate in humans can be between 40% and 75%. Several countries, including Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, have introduced new screening and testing measures, after at least two people died of Nipah virus in the Indian state of West Bengal this month.
But what is Nipah virus, and how concerned should we be?
Here’s what you need to know.
ECDC and WHO/Europe renew joint commitment to strengthen European health security and collaboration on public health
Stockholm, 29 January, 2026 - European Centre for Disease Prevention (ECDC) - MoU signed in Stockholm at ECDC-WHO/Europe Annual Coordination Meeting
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe) have today signed an updated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as ECDC Director Pamela Rendi-Wagner welcomes the Regional Director of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, Hans Kluge, and his team of experts to Stockholm.
The revised agreement builds on two decades of close cooperation and updates and reinforces this long- standing collaboration within the field of public health, strengthening joint action and coordination between the two organisations.
Ending neglected diseases requires partners willing to go where markets won’t
January 29, 2026 - IAVI - International AIDS Vaccine Initiative - ~ An IAVI Statement on World Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) Day 2026 ~
For three decades, IAVI has worked to develop vaccines and antibodies for diseases that lack the commercial incentives to attract private investment, yet these diseases still cause immense suffering and hold back entire communities from realizing their potential.
On this World NTD Day, we stand in solidarity with the researchers, health workers, advocates, and communities working to end the burden of neglected tropical diseases. Their work, often underfunded and underrecognized, remains essential to global health security and human dignity.
Scientists say these two viruses may become the next public health threats
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - January 28, 2026 - By Jill Pease - UF Health - University of Florida Health - Two emerging pathogens with animal origins — influenza D virus and canine coronavirus — have so far been quietly flying under the radar, but researchers warn conditions are ripe for the viruses to spread more widely among humans.
If surveillance and diagnostics continue to lag, influenza D virus and canine coronavirus have real potential to trigger outbreaks, a team of infectious disease experts and authors write in an article in the January issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, a journal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Future of Home for People With HIV Is at Risk
PROVINCETOWN - Jan 28, 2026 – By Paul Benson - The Provincetown Independent - Provincetown Housing Authority and AIDS Support Group at odds over Foley House
Since February 1996, the Alice Foley House, a bright yellow congregate living home with 10 bedrooms and two kitchens in Provincetown’s East End, has been unique on Cape Cod as the only housing dedicated to low-income people living with HIV.
Housing Works Marks 35 Years of Service as Housing Works Cannabis Co Celebrates 3 Years as New York's Only 100% Charity Dispensary
Jan 28, 2026 – Housing Works - Nonprofit Born out of the AIDS Crisis Becomes Nation's Largest Provider of Housing and Services for the HIV/AIDS Community
Founded in response to the AIDS crisis and widespread government inaction, Housing Works has spent over three decades and multiple political administrations redefining how nonprofits can drive sustainable impact—pairing direct services, advocacy, and innovative retail models to fund life-saving programs. Through donations and innovative methods like auctioning off artwork from Banksy, the organization has raised millions dollars with notable accomplishments including advocating for HASA for All, which ensures low-income New Yorkers with HIV have access to lifesaving services including housing and benefits assistance, earning a Federally Qualified Health Center designation, creating "hotels" for the unhoused during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is currently working on The Lirio, its largest housing project to date in Hell’s Kitchen.
“In the early days, our evidence-based advocacy positions were often met with political resistance. As a result, traditional funders were not inclined to support our life-saving HIV/AIDS work. And, while we are now almost 40 years into the AIDS pandemic, we continue to experience budget cuts and lack of access to capital as city, state and federal administrations shift,” said Matthew Bernardo, President of Housing Works, Inc. “But when people are fighting for their lives, it forces innovation to support them. Housing Works is proof that nonprofits can create real, measurable impact for those who need it most.”
AHF Sues Florida DOH Over Rules Cutting HIV/AIDS Treatment for Thousands
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (January 27, 2026) - by Ged Kenslea - AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) - Press Teleconference, Wednesday, January 28, 10:15 am ET
Legal petition filed with Florida’s Division of Administrative Hearings seeks expedited hearing and ruling against the state’s Department of Health, asserting that DOH illegally drafted cost-saving rules bumping as many as 16,000 Floridians off the state’s lifesaving AIDS Drug Assistance Program
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), which cares for over 21,000 people in Florida, 17,543 of whom are living with HIV, filed a petition with Florida’s Division of Administrative Hearings over rules that the state’s Department of Health (DOH) illegally enacted which will cut off access to lifesaving HIV medications for 16,000 Floridians. AHF is seeking an expedited hearing and a favorable administrative determination on the rules against the DOH.
Trump Administration’s Inhumane Global Gag Rule Expansion and new Gender and Equity Foreign Aid Restrictions Will Cost Lives
January 27, 2026 – Health GAP - Trump Administration’s Inhumane Global Gag Rule Expansion and new Gender and Equity Foreign Aid Restrictions Will Cost Lives
Health GAP today warned that the Trump Administration’s new foreign aid rules grossly expanding the Global Gag Rule and imposing new funding restrictions regarding “Combating Gender Ideology” and “Combating Discriminatory Equity Ideology” will threaten the lives, well-being, and human rights of communities around the world while undermining the effectiveness of U.S. global health assistance.
“These restrictions are an affront to human rights, particularly for transgender and gender diverse people who face worse health outcomes, such as higher rates of HIV infection, because of the very same bigotry and discrimination endorsed by these rules,” said Bellinda Thibela, Health GAP’s Coordinator for Health Justice and Human Rights. “They also contradict decades of evidence showing global health programs must be built to redress disparities in order to deliver real results.”
High prevalence of polypharmacy and nervous system medications in people with HIV: a cross-sectional analysis
27 January 2026 - Nature - Abstract
Polypharmacy is increasingly prevalent among people living with HIV (PLWH), especially as they age and manage multiple comorbidities. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 268 PLWH in Vigo, Spain (2020–2023), revealing an aging cohort (mean age 49.8 years) and a 51.9% prevalence of multimorbidity. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Polypharmacy, defined as the chronic use of ≥ 5 non-antiretroviral drugs, was observed in 35.7% of participants, increasing among older adults (≥ 50 years, 50.7%; p < 0.001) and those living with HIV for > 10 years (43.0%; p = 0.004). Nervous system medications (47.0%), alimentary tract/metabolism drugs (36.2%), and cardiovascular drugs (34.3%) were the most common. Psychotropic drugs were frequent, particularly anxiolytics (24.8%) and antidepressants (22.9%). In multivariable analysis, anxiolytic use was associated with older age (OR = 1.03; p = 0.038), female sex (OR = 1.97; p = 0.042), current smoking (OR = 3.74; p = 0.002), and past cocaine use (OR = 2.52; p = 0.008); antidepressant use with past (OR = 3.46; p = 0.015) and current smoking (OR = 4.46; p = 0.001). These findings highlight the complexity of managing polypharmacy in aging PLWH and underscore the need for strategies to optimize medication use.
Minister refuses to say if UK HIV funding will be fully protected from aid cuts
27 January 2026 - By Chris Stevenson - The Independent - Jennifer Chapman, the minister of state for international development and Africa, says the UK will still work with organisations that have ‘proved themselves effective’
A minister has refused to say whether UK funding for the global HIV response will be protected when the government announces significant cuts to international aid.
Read more...
The Wistar Institute Announces Dr. Dario Altieri Leadership Transition
PHILADELPHIA — (Jan. 26, 2026) - The Wistar Institute - Board of Trustees conducting president & CEO search process
The Wistar Institute, a biomedical research leader in cancer, immunology and infectious disease, announces Dario C. Altieri, M.D., Wistar’s president and CEO, director of the Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center, and Robert and Penny Fox Distinguished Professor, will step down from his leadership role effective December 2026. In the interim, the Board of Trustees will undertake a comprehensive national search process to identify his successor.
What’s on the Treatment and Cure Horizon for HIV and Cancer?
January 26,2026 - By Andrea Gramatica - amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research - - Scientists are making steady progress toward better treatments for cancer and HIV. New research focuses on using the immune system to fight these diseases in smarter and faster ways. -
- One major area of progress is cell therapy, especially CAR T cells. These are immune cells changed to attack cancer or HIV. Researchers are now trying to modify these cells directly inside the body, which could make treatment faster, cheaper, and easier to use around the world. -
- Personalized mRNA technology is also advancing. These treatments are designed for each person and have already shown success in some cancer patients. The same tools are now being used in HIV research to help find and target hidden virus in the body. -
- Antibody and vaccine technologies are also progressing. Special antibodies can block many types of HIV, and new vaccine strategies aim to train the immune system to make strong, long-lasting protection. -
Looking at what’s happened in immunotherapy and HIV virology over the past couple of years, there are real reasons to be excited. The science is moving incredibly fast, and we’re seeing game-changing shifts in how we approach treatment, especially for cancer and HIV.
Doctors are ignoring new federal vaccine recommendations
January 26, 2026 - By Jen Christensen - CNN - The American Academy of Pediatrics on Monday released its updated recommendations for what vaccines children should get. It’s a routine revision, hardly different from last year’s recommendations, but it carries more significance this year: More states and doctors are relying on it instead of a controversial new schedule from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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King Mswati applauds United States (US) for new HIV prevention drug, advises eMahaja to prioritize health even after taking Lenacapavir.
25th January 2026 – By Musa Mdluli - The Swaziland News - ENGABEZWENI: King Mswati has expressed appreciation to the Government of the United States (US) for the ongoing HIV prevention program after the launching of Lenacapavir.
The Lenacapavir drug is a twice-yearly injectable HIV prevention (PrEP) medication, Eswatini became the first African country where the drug was officially launched.
Addressing thousands of eMajaha on Saturday at Engabezweni Royal Residence marking the end of the annual Incwala ceremony, the King applauded the United States for thinking about Eswatini when launching the HIV prevention drug.
Scent stories: Hong Kong art exhibition destigmatises, humanises living with HIV through personal fragrances
January 25, 2026 - by Kelly Ho - Hong Kong Free Press HKFP - “Emanate,” a show organised by the NGO AIDS Concern, showcased fragrances crafted by patients, carers, and healthcare workers to reflect their personal histories.
Wing – a Hongkonger in his 60s – has been living with HIV for 18 years. One of his greatest regrets is not having been able to share his condition with his parents, who passed away about a decade ago.
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HIV treatment cascade and associated factors among men who have sex with men in Brazil:
a cross-sectional study
January 24, 2026 – Nature - Abstract
Men who have sex with men (MSM) have been disproportionately affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic.
The HIV treatment cascade is an important clinical monitoring strategy that involves the number of MSM living with HIV in health
services. This study aimed to analyze the HIV treatment cascade in the MSM population in Brazil and to identify factors
associated with different cascade stages. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 Brazilian capitals and included 4,176
MSM recruited through respondent-driven sampling in 2016. Factors associated with each stage of the HIV treatment cascade
outcomes), i.e., HIV diagnosis, use of antiretroviral therapy, and achievement of undetectable viral load, were identified via
logistic regression. Approximately 18.3% (95% CI: 15.4–21.7) of the MSM were diagnosed with HIV at the time of the survey.
Among those living with HIV, only 55.5% (95% CI: 46.2–64.4) had previous knowledge of their serologic status, and 98.4%
(95% CI: 96.3–99.3) of those aware of their status used antiretroviral therapy. Among those reporting using antiretroviral
therapy, 80.0% (95% CI: 64.8–89.7) had a suppressed viral load, whereas 79.4% (95% CI: 64.4–89.2) had an undetectable
viral load. Age > 25 years, having completed high school or higher, having a previous diagnosis of another sexually transmitted infection,
and not being identified as bisexual were positively associated with all outcomes. Once enrolled in HIV treatment programs, most MSM achieve viral suppression. The challenge for HIV control is that fully half of our
sample or men who tested positive did not know their HIV status. Regardless of the reason for this lack of testing, Brazil faces a continuing HIV epidemic.
The CDC Lost a Queer Icon in Dr. Demetre Daskalakis
January 24, 2026 – By Chris Azzopardi - QSaltLake Magazine - After years of fighting for queer health from inside the system, Daskalakis says he had to walk away — and speak out — when politics started rewriting science
In the world of queer health advocacy, few figures are as instantly recognizable — or as unapologetically committed — as Dr. Demetre Daskalakis. Whether he’s shaping public health policy, calling out institutional failures, or guiding the LGBTQ+ community through the mpox outbreak, Daskalakis leads with both expertise and authenticity. He doesn’t just understand that who you are is inseparable from how you serve — he’s been living it.
Military ban on HIV-positive enlistees could set dangerous precedent, experts warn
The Pentagon has ordered officials not to train new recruits who are HIV-positive despite a pending court ruling.
Jan 24, 2026 - By Ryan Adamczeski - ADVOCATE - The Trump administration's fight to prevent HIV-positive people from enlisting in the military will soon be settled, but not before upending the lives of those who want nothing more than to serve.
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Statement from AIDS United in Response to Trump Administration’s Public Health Priorities
Washington, D.C. - January 23, 2026 - AIDS United - AIDS United welcomes the HIV-focused investments included in the conference agreement covering the FY 2026 Labor-HHS-Education, and Transportation-HUD (THUD) appropriations bills. At a moment when communities are working to sustain hard-won momentum, these bills reflect the enduring, bipartisan understanding that ending the HIV epidemic is achievable, and that Congress has a responsibility to support and uphold the programs that make that goal real.
This agreement maintains critical federal commitments across prevention, treatment, and housing stability, all cornerstones of HIV outcomes. It underscores why the U.S. Senate must continue to serve as a firewall against efforts that would undermine care and prevention infrastructure.
Letting 10K+ Floridians go without HIV drug access is reckless, especially in Miami | Opinion
January 23, 2026 - By the Miami Herald Editorial Board - Miami Herald - Believe Republican lawmakers and Florida’s surgeon general when they say cuts to Florida’s HIV treatment program are “a big deal” and “a serious issue,” as they did earlier this month during a hearing before a Senate committee.
Listen & read...
Impact of Delayed HIV Diagnosis and Treatment on Dementia Risk in Later Life
Background
22 January 2026 – Open Forum Infectious Diseases | Oxford Academic - Abstract
Background
Delayed HIV diagnosis and treatment may increase the risk of developing dementia later in life. We evaluated whether low CD4 count (<200 cells/µL) prior to first known use of antiretroviral therapy (ART)—a proxy for delayed HIV diagnosis or treatment—was associated with risk of age-associated dementia.
U.S. completes withdrawal from World Health Organization, hampering global response to outbreaks
January 22, 2026 - CBS News - The U.S. has finalized its withdrawal from the World Health Organization, one year after President Trump announced — on the first day of his second term — that America was ending its 78-year-old commitment, federal officials said Thursday..
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DNA found in an ancient Colombian skeleton may hold answers to origin of syphilis
22 Jan 2026 - By Brianna Morris-Grant - ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) - A previously unknown strain of syphilis bacteria has been discovered in human remains in Colombia, dating back 5,500 years.
The ancient sample is more than 3,000 years older than the earliest known record of Treponema pallidum, the bacterium responsible for syphilis.
Read more...
United States Completes WHO Withdrawal
WASHINGTON — January 22, 2026 – HHS - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of State today announced the United States’ completion of its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) due to the organization's mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a joint statement on the termination of U.S. membership in the WHO.
Feel Stronger, Live Better: The Role of Exercise in HIV Wellness
January 22, 2026 – HIV.gov - Summary:
Exercise offers powerful benefits for people with HIV, from boosting heart health and energy to supporting mental well-being. This blog post explores how physical activity can fit into HIV care and how to get started safely—no matter your fitness level. Learn how even small steps can help you feel stronger, more confident, and more in control of your long-term health.
Movement supports more than just your body—it can improve mood, boost heart health, and help you feel stronger at every stage of HIV care.
IAS 2027: Top HIV science meeting comes to global health hub of Geneva
22 January 2026 (Geneva, Switzerland) – IAS - International AIDS Society - IAS 2027, the 14th IAS Conference on HIV Science, will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, and virtually from 11 to 15 July 2027, IAS – the International AIDS Society – announced. Around 5,000 people from more than 130 countries are expected to attend.
“We now have a game-changing toolkit that includes long-acting treatment and prevention options that could end the HIV pandemic,” IAS 2027 International Co-Chair and IAS President-Elect Kenneth Ngure said. Ngure is an Associate Professor of Global Health and immediate former Dean of the School of Public Health at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya. “But for many of the people who need them the most, these innovations remain behind a door locked by abiding access issues and shrinking funding.
Africa moves closer to an HIV Vaccine as first-in-human BRILLIANT 011 Clinical Trial launches in Cape Town
Background
22, Jan 2026 – South African Medical Research Council | SAMRC - South Africa has taken a historic step toward contributing to the development of an HIV vaccine, aimed at HIV vaccine strains circulating in Southern Africa, with the launch of the BRILLIANT 011 first-in-human clinical trial at the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation (DTHF) site at Groote Schuur Hospital.
The first participant was enrolled this week.
The trial is being conducted by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) in partnership with DTHF and the Wits Health Consortium, marking a major milestone in African-led HIV vaccine research. BRILLIANT 011 brings renewed hope that an HIV vaccine developed through African science, for African populations, is becoming increasingly possible.
Delayed treatment of HIV linked to greater risk of dementia
January 22, 2026 - by Jan Greene - Kaiser Permanente Division of Research - Kaiser Permanente analysis underlines importance of early identification, treatment of HIV
Waiting to start antiretroviral therapy (ART) can have long-term health implications for people diagnosed with HIV — specifically, increased risk of dementia in later life, according to new Kaiser Permanente research.
A study published in the journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases reported that patients treated for HIV who had a low CD4 count before they started ART were more likely to be diagnosed with dementia years later. The CD4 count is a measure of the strength of the immune system.
Jane Darville fought stigma at height of AIDS crisis, with a little help from Princess Diana
Jan 22, 2026 - The Current - CBC Radio - CBC - Jane Darville helped to bring care and comfort to people dying of AIDS in the late 1980s &mdash a time when stigma, homophobia and fear made that work so much harder.
Listen...
Lithium study yields insights in the fight against HIV
January 21 2026 – McGill University - Study in human cells finds low-cost drug keeps virus dormant through an unexpected pathway, pointing the way to new treatments
Lithium, a widely used treatment for bipolar disorder and other mood disorders, has shown early promise in suppressing HIV, McGill University researchers report.
A new study published in iScience found lithium can prevent infected cells from reactivating, and that it does so through an unexpected biological mechanism.
The findings point toward future treatments designed to mimic lithium’s beneficial effects while avoiding its broader impacts on the body.
SA marks another historic step in battle against HIV/AIDS
21-Jan-2026 - Cape Times - THE launch of a first-in-human clinical trial at the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation (DTHF) site at Groote Schuur Hospital has been hailed as a historic step toward contributing to the development of an HIV vaccine, aimed at HIV vaccine strains circulating in Southern Africa.
The first participant in the BRILLIANT 011 trial was enrolled this week.
Read more...
Jane Darville fought stigma at height of AIDS crisis, with a little help from Princess Diana
‘I just needed to do it,’ Darville says of her work with people living with HIV/AIDS
21 Jan 2026 - The Current - CBC Radio - Jane Darville helped to bring care and comfort to people dying of AIDS in the late 1980s — a time when stigma, homophobia and fear made that work so much harder.
“It was very hard to raise money and in some cases, even to get staff,” said Darville, who was a founding board member and once the executive director of Casey House, a downtown Toronto hospital for people with HIV/AIDS.
LISTEN...
Solving Long COVID: How Decades of HIV Research Paved the Way
January 21, 2026 - By Victoria Colliver - UCSF - University of California, San Francisco - UCSF’s rapid shift to uncover the virus’s hidden effects and seemingly unconnected symptoms put its researchers at the forefront of the field.
n the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, UC San Francisco researchers were already seeing signs of lingering symptoms in some who had been infected. Importantly, this was when experts still viewed the illness as a transient respiratory virus and before long COVID even had a name, let alone a diagnosis.
Clinicians were hearing young, previously healthy people with no other medical problems talk about how they couldn’t shake the virus. They had bone-crushing fatigue, respiratory issues that wouldn’t go away, difficulty thinking, dizziness, and other problems that persisted well after the acute phase of the disease was over.
Florida Senate leaders review options for $120M deficit faced by AIDS drug program
TALLAHASSEE, Florida - 01/21/2026 - By Arek Sarkissian - POLITICO Pro - The state program provides a wide spectrum of financial assistance options for more than 30,000 residents who are living with HIV and AIDS
Florida Senate leaders on Wednesday said they are considering ways to address a $120 million budget deficit faced by the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program, potentially leaving 10,000 people without access to costly, life-saving drugs.
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The State of Our HIV Union in 2026 Is Stronger Than You Think
Jan 21, 2026- By Ace Robinson - TheBody - 2025 was a year in public health that I’m sure none of us wants to repeat. But we, as an HIV Community, remained steadfast in holding control of our here-and-now existence. Our future, and our health, demand that we continue that momentum in 2026.
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Predictors of opportunistic infections among people living with HIV: a prospective cohort study from a tertiary care setting in India
21 January 2026 - Nature - Abstract
Opportunistic infections (OIs) remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Early identification of high-risk individuals is vital to guide the preventive measures and the efficient use of healthcare resources. We conducted a prospective longitudinal cohort study involving 223 PLHIV at a tertiary care center in Western India. Baseline demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected, including CD4 count, nutritional status, serum albumin, and ART (antiretroviral therapy) history. Patients were followed for the development of OIs. Logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of OIs. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to assess OI-free survival across different groups. Out of 223 patients, 97 (43.5%) developed at least one OI. The maximum duration of follow-up was 36 months for OI development. Tuberculosis (41.2%), candidiasis (16.5%), and NTM (Non-tuberculous mycobacteria) infections (11.3%) were the most common OIs. On multivariable analysis, low body mass index (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2; OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1–4.2, p = 0.037), hypoalbuminemia (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2–3.5, p = 0.011), and CD4 count < 250 cells/µL (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3–4.2, p = 0.043) were identified as independent predictors of OIs. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed significantly reduced OI-free survival among patients with albumin < 2.5 g/dL (adjusted HR 1.8; 95% CI 1.1–2.9; p = 0.017) and BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (adjusted HR 2.1; 95% CI 1.3–3.2; p = 0.001). Low BMI, hypoalbuminemia, and CD4 count < 250 cells/µL are independent predictors of OIs in PLHIV. Integrating these markers can mitigate the OI-related adverse outcomes, particularly in low-resource healthcare settings.
An HIV breakthrough is here. Let’s not let it go to waste
Opinion: “While the obstacles we face may be significant, Lenacapavir represents a monumental breakthrough in the fight against HIV/AIDS, one we can not afford to squander,” write Dr. Kelly Gebo and Dr. Amanda Castel.
Jan 21, 2026 - By Kelly Gebo, Kelly GeboSee - ADVOCATE - As Congress nears a January deadline to pass a continuing resolution and avert a government shutdown, critical health programs hang in the balance. The now-expired Affordable Care Act subsidies and proposed cuts to the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program could undermine access to lifesaving services and medications, including Lenacapavir, a breakthrough drug offering new hope in the fight against HIV.
Nearly 40 million people worldwide, and more than one million people in the United States, are living with HIV, with more than 30,000 Americans newly infected each year.
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‘A cash advance on your death’: the strange, morbid world of Aids profiteering
In Oscar-shortlisted documentary short Cashing Out, a little-known industry that saw dying LGBTQ+ people sell their life insurance policies is remembered
21 Jan 2026 - By Shrai Popat - The Guardian- During the summer of 2020, at the onset of the Covid pandemic, the documentary director Matt Nadel was back home in Boca Raton, Florida. He remembers one particular evening walk that he took with his father, Phil, as they weathered out those early months.
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Early initiation of HIV treatment reduces subsequent risk for cancers unrelated to AIDS
January 20, 2026 - CATIE NEWS - Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) - Dutch researchers compared data between people who started HIV treatment early and late
Over 22 years, people who started HIV treatment early had a 40% reduced risk for many cancers
This study adds more evidence for the benefits of starting HIV treatment early
When taken as directed, HIV treatment (antiretroviral therapy; ART) helps to reduce the amount of HIV in the blood. Over time, continued use of ART is usually able to suppress HIV to the point where it cannot be detected in blood samples with routine laboratory tests. This suppression of HIV allows the immune system to mostly repair itself. The result is that with continued care and monitoring, and all other things being equal, many people with HIV who use ART are living well into their senior years.
The profile of cancers that people with HIV are at risk for developing has largely changed since 1996, when ART first became available in Canada and other high-income countries. Studies have found that the strengthening of the immune system caused by ART has led to a significant reduction in the risk for AIDS-related cancers.
Malcolm Reid Leans Into His Maturity as an HIV Leader
Jan 20 2026 - By Mark S. King - My Fabulous Disease - Malcolm Reid has the X Factor, a compelling way about him that attracts your attention but which you can’t quite put your finger on. Saying so about him would probably make him grin and even blush, which only makes the case for his charms even stronger.
Malcolm is 68 years old and lives in Decatur, Georgia. Diagnosed with HIV in 1996 (but knowing his status for years; more on that soon), Malcolm entered the HIV arena as an advocate in 2015. His maturity and the easy way he parcels out wisdom might lead you to believe he has been in the trenches much longer.
Iraq blames overseas travel and tattoos for rise in HIV cases
Baghdad - 20 January 2026 - By Mohammed Bassim Rashid - The New Arab - Iraq has recorded a slight rise in HIV cases, with health officials warning that overseas travel and unregulated tattooing are key risk factors.
Iraqi health authorities have reported a rise in HIV infections, with officials blaming new cases on overseas travel and exposure at unlicensed tattoo and cosmetic centres.
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58% of patients affected by 2022 mpox outbreak report lasting physical symptoms
19 January 2026 - American College of Physicians - A cohort study of over 300 adults either diagnosed with mpox between May 2022 to January 2023 (post-MPX) and or who were at risk but never infected (no-MPX) found that more than half of those diagnosed with mpox during the 2022 outbreak still had lingering physical effects 11 to 18 months later. Most reported appearance-related changes, and some continued to experience anorectal or urinary problems. The study is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Javier Muñoz: Pentagon's message to troops living with HIV is ‘rooted in bigotry’
January 19, 2026 - CNN - HIV/AIDS activist and Broadway actor Javier Muñoz: weighs in on the Pentagon's order to pause initial trainingHIV/AIDS activist and Broadway actor Javier Muñoz weighs in on the Pentagon's order to pause initial training for military recruits who are living with HIV. He tells CNN’s Danny Freeman that the decision sends a message “rooted in bigotry and discrimination” about the virus. for military recruits who are living with HIV.
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ECDC issues guidance on doxycycline for STI prevention
Stockholm, 19 January 2025 - European Centre for Disease Prevention (ECDC) - As sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to surge across the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA), a new report published today by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) reveals a complex landscape of national responses. Though most countries have strategies in place, significant barriers to preventative measures and testing, and a lack of data are hindering efforts to curb the epidemics of chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis.
For more than a decade, a concerning increase in bacterial STIs has been seen in the EU/EEA, as notifications for gonorrhoea, syphilis, and chlamydia have risen sharply, with men who have sex with men being disproportionately affected. In 2023, notification rates increased by 16% for chlamydia, 138% for gonorrhoea, and 53% for syphilis compared to 2019 levels.
Pentagon pauses HIV-positive recruit training while signaling it may soon reinstate a ban on their enlistment
Jan 17, 2026 - By Haley Britzky,and Devan Cole - CNN - The Pentagon has ordered the military command that processes new recruits to hold off on initial training for people who are HIV-positive and recently joined the military, CNN has learned, saying that a decision on reinstating a Defense Department ban on their enlistment is “expected in the next few weeks.”
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The near death — and last-minute reprieve — of a trial for an HIV vaccine
January 17, 2026 - By Ari Daniel - NPR - Everything had been leading to the meeting early last year in Zanzibar, a tropical archipelago off the east coast of Africa.
A hundred researchers, clinicians and other experts on HIV from across Africa and beyond were there to discuss big plans — the development of an innovative vaccine on the continent that could prevent the disease, which continues to infect and kill people disproportionately in sub-Saharan Africa.
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R.I.P. Mark Milano, a Fierce and Tireless HIV Activist and Treatment Educator
January 16, 2026 - By Kate Ferguson - POZ - Living with HIV since 1981, Mark Milano fought for LGBTQ and AIDS issues. His radical activism helped shape global and national policies.
A relentless activist, dedicated HIV treatment educator and POZ 100 honoree (and longtime contributor to the magazine), Mark Milano died January 3, 2026, in New York City. The cause of death was complications of cancer, according to an obituary posted on EverLoved.com. He was 69. Born on April 28, 1956, in Milwaukee, Milano contracted HIV in 1981 and was formally diagnosed in 1985, the year that the first blood tests came out, making him one of the longest-known long-term survivors.
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Controversial US study on hepatitis B vaccines in Africa is cancelled
Fri 16 Jan 2026 - Melody Schreiber - The Guardian - $1.6m project drew outrage over ethical questions about withholding vaccines proven to prevent disease
The controversial US-funded study on hepatitis B vaccines among newborns in Guinea-Bissau has been halted, according to Yap Boum, a senior official at the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Campaign raises awareness of anal cancer in men living with HIV
15 January 2026 - Cheshire & Merseyside Cancer Alliance - Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance has partnered with HIV charity George House Trust to launch a new awareness campaign focused on the early signs and symptoms of anal cancer among men living with HIV who have sex with men.
The campaign aims to empower communities to understand their increased risk, break down taboos, and encourage men who have sex with men (MSM) to seek help early if they have symptoms.
Flu cases surging in California as officials warn of powerful virus strain
Jan. 15, 2026 - By By Karen Garcia - Los Angleles Times - California officials are issuing warnings about a new flu strain that is increasing flu-related cases and hospitalizations statewide, with public health experts across the nation echoing the alerts.
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Matt Nadel on History & Morality in“Cashing Out” and the Relevance of a Film about the AIDS Crisis
Jan 15, 2026 - Awards Buzz - Abe Friedtanzer chats with Matt Nadel about ‘Cashing Out.’
Thousands in Florida could lose access to affordable HIV medication due to cuts
January 15, 2026 - By Lawrence Mower and Romy Ellenbogen - Miami Herald - At least 10,000 Floridians could lose access to life-saving HIV medication because Congress didn’t extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits last fall, according to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration.
The Florida Department of Health is justifying deep cuts to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which provides medication to low-income people living with HIV/AIDS, by saying it will prevent a dramatic $120 million funding shortfall.
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BC-CfE Update Spring 2026
JANUARY 15, 2026 - Bristish Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS (BC-CfE) - BC health care providers interested in HIV & Syndemic Conditions
We are pleased to invite you to the Spring 2026 BC-CfE Update; the focus of this event will be on HIV/AIDS… This is an open educational event sponsored by the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS.
THE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE IN PERSON AND VIRTUALLY
Friday, June 12, 2026
12:00 pm to 5:00 pm
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Large and long French study explores changes in cancer risk among people with HIV
January 15, 2026 - CATIE NEWS - Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) - A study of more than 150,000 people with HIV found cases of some cancers are declining
Researchers credit the decline from 1997 to 2018 to HIV treatment improving immune function
Cancer risk still remained higher for people living with HIV than HIV-negative people
If left untreated, HIV can impair the functioning of the immune system, leading to its gradual decline and the appearance of life-threatening infections and cancers. Since 1996, effective treatment for HIV (ART; antiretroviral therapy) has been increasingly available in Canada and other high-income countries. When used as directed, ART can reduce the amount of HIV in the blood to the point where it usually cannot be detected with routine laboratory tests. This suppression of HIV allows the immune system to mostly repair the injury caused by HIV. The result is that for most adherent ART users, the risk of AIDS-related complications declines dramatically. In fact, many studies project that a large proportion of ART users will have a life expectancy similar to that of the average HIV-negative person.
Powerful AIDS documentary Cashing Out shortlisted for Oscar
14 January, 2026 - By Sarah Creighton Keogh - GCN (Gay Community News) - Matt Nadel’s short film earns Academy Awards attention as celebrity supporters shine a spotlight on a forgotten chapter of queer history.
Matt Nadel’s Cashing Out is emerging as one of the most talked-about documentary shorts of awards season, blending deeply personal storytelling with timely star power. Recently shortlisted for Best Documentary Short at the 98th Academy Awards, the film has gained further attention thanks to the involvement of RuPaul’s Drag Race favourite Angeria, who joined the project early on as a producer alongside actor Matt Bomer.
The documentary explores the controversial rise of viatical settlements during the height of the AIDS crisis, when people living with HIV were routinely failed by governments and healthcare systems. At a time when an HIV diagnosis was widely regarded as a death sentence, viaticals allowed policyholders to sell their life insurance for immediate cash, offering short-term financial relief in exchange for long-term moral unease. While the subject matter is heavy, Cashing Out’s growing awards recognition has brought renewed cultural attention to this complex and often overlooked history.
When on-target misses the mark: Lessons from HIV immunogens
January 14, 2026 - By H Lewis - Fred Hutch Cancer Center - From the McGuire Lab, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division
Despite 40 years of intense research, the urgently-needed vaccine for HIV still eludes us.
The target of the HIV vaccine is the surface glycoprotein Env, which initiates viral entry into host cells and is blocked by neutralizing antibodies. Due to immense immune pressure and the high error rate of HIV’s reverse transcriptase, Env has exceedingly high levels of sequence diversity. It is estimated that Env can vary by 30-35% between HIV lineages.
New Clues to Understanding HIV-related Cognitive Impairment
JANUARY 14, 2025 - Weill Cornell Medicine - Using participant skin cells reprogrammed into neurons, Weill Cornell Medicine researchers have identified genetic signatures associated with HIV infection that may contribute to the cognitive impairment that often occurs in people living with the disease, even when the virus is controlled.
The study, published Dec. 1 in JCI Insight, collected cells called fibroblasts obtained with informed consent from the skin of six virologically suppressed people living with HIV and seven age- and sex-matched people without HIV. Applying cell-identity reprogramming techniques, they induced the fibroblasts to become neurons and found that those from the people with HIV had key differences in gene activity patterns, compared with those from people without HIV.
Fauci Urges Medical Students to See Public Health as Core to Clinical Practice
January 13, 2026 - GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences - At GW’s annual Clinical Public Health Summit on HIV, former NIAID director Anthony Fauci traced the epidemic’s history and challenged future physicians to shape policy beyond the exam room.
Anthony S. Fauci, MD, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), delivered the keynote address to open the 12th annual George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) Clinical Public Health (CPH) Summit on HIV, Dec. 17, 2025. The three-day summit brought together GW SMHS first-year medical students, public health leaders, and senior HIV/AIDS officials from across the country to examine the evolving challenges of the HIV epidemic and the role physicians can play beyond the clinic.
The HIV summit is part of a broader clinical public health curriculum at GW SMHS designed to prepare future physicians for a rapidly changing health care landscape. “This unique opportunity offers members of the Class of 2029,” organizers said, a chance to learn directly from senior HIV/AIDS officials and experts working at the federal, state, city, and community levels to develop innovative proposals to address the epidemic.
History of Skin Disorders Is Still Common Among People With HIV, U.S. Study Finds
Jan 13, 2026 - Larry Buhl - TheBodyPro - Dermatological conditions were significant markers for advanced HIV disease in the 1980s and 1990s within the U.S. Their prominence has greatly lessened in the decades since, thanks to the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy. However, a recently published longitudinal study concluded that despite our substantial progress in HIV treatment, almost half of people living with HIV in a major urban center have had at least one dermatological diagnosis, including infectious and inflammatory conditions. Even in the modern era, these conditions continue to occur—albeit at considerably reduced rates—and are driven by immune, demographic, structural, and behavioral factors, according to the study authors.
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Landmark findings from Vietnam: A tailored implementation improves HIV interventions for people who inject drugs
January 13, 2026 - UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health - A UNC Vietnam team led by Vivian Go, PhD, professor of health behavior, and Bill Miller, MD, PhD, professor of epidemiology — both researchers with the Gillings School for Global Public Health and the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases — found that tailoring implementation strategies to local clinic needs significantly improved the delivery of a proven HIV intervention for people who inject drugs.
Thousands to lose AIDS drugs under Florida cuts
13 January 2026 - Keith Alcorn - aidsmap - “It’s a really, really serious issue,” the state surgeon general said.Taking an integrase inhibitor as part of an HIV treatment regimen significantly reduced the risk of a major cardiovascular event or coronary artery disease when compared to other forms of HIV treatment, a study in people with HIV in the United States has found.
The study took place in a cohort of people with HIV who may reflect the reality of HIV care in the United States – racially and ethnically diverse with a history of variable access to health care.
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CATIE: Scientists in France assess antibiotic resistance in people who use doxyPEP
January 13, 2026 - CATIE NEWS - Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) - Taking doxycycline after sex (doxyPEP) reduces the risk of some sexually transmitted infections
A French study found gonorrhea less susceptible to some antibiotics for those taking doxyPEP
Antibiotic resistance was not found for the drug classes typically used to treat gonorrhea
Clinical trials have found that doxycycline taken after sexual exposure—called doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis, or doxyPEP for short—significantly reduces the risk of developing chlamydia and syphilis. In some cases, doxyPEP can also reduce the risk of gonorrhea. However, in the past, a class of antibiotics called tetracyclines (of which doxycycline is a member) was used to treat gonorrhea, and the bacteria that cause this infection have acquired the ability to resist tetracyclines (and, therefore, doxycycline). As a result, doxyPEP is not always effective at reducing the risk of gonorrhea.
Integrase inhibitors reduce heart risks in people with HIV in the US
13 January 2026 - Keith Alcorn - aidsmap - Taking an integrase inhibitor as part of an HIV treatment regimen significantly reduced the risk of a major cardiovascular event or coronary artery disease when compared to other forms of HIV treatment, a study in people with HIV in the United States has found.
The study took place in a cohort of people with HIV who may reflect the reality of HIV care in the United States – racially and ethnically diverse with a history of variable access to health care.
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Harvard Chan researchers win $100 million MacArthur grant for infectious disease surveillance system
January 13, 2026 - By Maya Brownstein - Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health - In November, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation awarded its $100 million “100&Change” grant to the Sentinel project, an infectious disease surveillance system designed to help communities identify outbreaks and prevent potential pandemics. Based in West Africa, Sentinel is a collaboration between the Broad Institute and the Institute of Genomics and Global Health in Nigeria, and works in close partnership with national public health agencies there and in Sierra Leone. Its co-founders and directors are also faculty at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: Pardis Sabeti, professor of immunology and infectious diseases, and Christian Happi, adjunct professor of immunology and infectious diseases.
Below, Sabeti and Happi share more about Sentinel, their plans for expanding the project, and why they’re determined to use their grant to uplift the global public health community.
The Wistar Institute Announces the Recruitment of Jianliang Xu, Ph.D., to the HIV Cure and Viral Diseases Center
PHILADELPHIA — (Jan 13, 2026) - The Wistar Institute - Xu specializes in antibody research & engineers nanobodies—tiny, effective tools against HIV & emerging pandemics
The Wistar Institute, an international biomedical research leader in cancer, immunology, and infectious disease, is pleased to announce the recruitment of Jianliang Xu, Ph.D., to Wistar’s HIV Cure and Viral Diseases Center. Xu is a molecular biologist, trained in fundamental immunology, specializing in antibody and nanobody engineering. Xu engineers antibodies and nanobodies (smaller versions of antibodies) through binding and fusing them to create chimeric molecules—hybrids made from two sources—or nanobody cocktails that are new, enhanced, cutting-edge tools which can be rapidly deployed drug development or diagnostic technologies for HIV and emerging pathogens.
HIV antibody opens up new approaches for vaccine development and combination therapies
January 12, 2026 - University of Cologne - An international research team has identified a novel HIV antibody that targets the virus at a particularly vulnerable site and overcomes previous limitations of known antibodies. This study, led by Professor Dr Florian Klein, opens up new perspectives for the development of vaccines and therapeutics against HIV-1 and was published in the journal „Nature Immunology“.
HIV-1 can be neutralized by antibodies which bind to vulnerable structures on the virus surface. One such vulnerable site is the so-called V3 glycan site of the viral envelope protein. This target structure plays a central role in virus entry into human cells and has therefore long been an important focus for the development of new immunotherapeutic and preventive approaches. However, to date, most identified antibodies have been able to effectively recognize the V3 glycan site only in a subset of HIV variants circulating worldwide.
FHS professor Angela Kaida named CRC in HIV and Sexual & Reproductive Health Equity
January 12, 2026 - Simon Fraser University (SFU) - In late October, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) announced that FHS professor Angela Kaida would become the new Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in HIV and sexual & reproductive health equity.
Kaida, a renowned global health and HIV researcher, is the current Scientific Director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Gender and Health. The new research program that she is undertaking as the Tier 1 CRC will continue to deeply explore issues that lie at the intersection of global health, HIV, and gender and health.
“Despite the significant advances in HIV prevention and treatment that has seen the once deadly disease evolve into a manageable chronic condition for those with access to antiretroviral therapy (ART),” says Kaida, “there have not been significant shifts in the social and structural determinants of health that influence and shape the risk and consequences of HIV.” The lack of progress in changing the contexts that shape HIV risk and consequence strongly suggests that a health equity lens and approach is needed at the population level.
Not a ‘super flu’ but plenty bad: Stanford Medicine expert’s tips for staying safe
January 12, 2026 - By Mark Conley - Stanford Medicine - Stanford University - Holiday season was disrupted by a nasty flu bug for many around the country, and others aren’t out of the woods. What to know about ‘subclade K.’
From living rooms to emergency rooms, flu season is hitting the United States hard.
It mirrors what has already happened during winter elsewhere around the globe, and there are no signs of it letting up anytime soon. For those of who managed to survive the holiday season upright, this is no time to let your guard down.
That’s why we asked Stanford Medicine’s Yvonne Maldonado, MD, the Taube Professor in Global Health and Infectious Diseases and a professor of pediatrics, to shed light on what everyone should know right now.
Five years left to #endAIDS by ensuring zero new infections and all people with HIV live healthy
January 11, 2026 - By Shobha Shukla - Modern Ghana - The year 2026 marks an important milestone with only 5 years left for world leaders to deliver on the promise of ending AIDS by 2030 (Sustainable Development Goal 3). With zero new HIV infections and ensuring all people living with HIV are healthy (virally suppressed) and supported we can end AIDS now!
We can #endAIDSnow!
Thanks to communities of people living with and affected by HIV, a lot of scientifically proven tools and approaches have made it possible to offer HIV combination prevention to those who are HIV negative - as well as ensure that all people living with HIV remain healthy and lead fulfilling lives.
If people with HIV are on lifesaving antiretroviral therapy with sustained viral suppression, then people with HIV live normal and healthy lives (comparable to those without the virus). In addition, there is zero risk of any further HIV transmission as per the WHO - this is commonly referred to as undetectable equals untransmittable or #UequalsU.
According to UNAIDS, in 2024, around 40.8 million people were living with HIV globally but not everyone was on lifesaving treatment - 31.6 million people were receiving the treatment by 2024. We need to bridge this gap.
Ending AIDS Is Possible—but Only If the World Acts Now
JANUARY 11, 2026 - Africa science News - The global fight against HIV and AIDS has reached a critical moment. Decades of community leadership, scientific breakthroughs and policy advances have made it possible not only to prevent new HIV infectios, but also to ensure that people living with HIV can lead long, healthy and fulfilling lives. Yet, despite these tools, AIDS-related deaths and new infections continue–raising urgent questions about political will, funding and equity.
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40 years not out… How Kangausaru took HIV out of the shadows
January 11, 2026 - Sundaymail - Herald - When Donnance Kangausaru (60) looks back on nearly four decades of living with HIV, he does not see a life defined by illness.
Instead, he sees a journey of resilience, faith, discipline and courage – a journey that transformed him from a frightened patient at the height of Zimbabwe’s AIDS crisis into one of the country’s most recognisable and longest-serving HIV advocates.
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What does cannabis ‘rescheduling’ mean for science and society?
January 9, 2026 - U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation - Federal change could mean more research on a substance that has reached widespread use for self-medication but hasn’t had its benefits or risks examined scientifically
Tens of millions of Americans turn to cannabis products every week to try to ease their pain, calm their anxiety, get more sleep, help them cope with the side effects of chemotherapy, or just relax and unwind.
Even as many get relief, some experience side effects from today’s more potent cannabis.
Jane Darville (MPA'93) appointed to the Order of Canada
Jan 09, 2026 - Queen’s University - Jane Darville is a health care leader known for her compassionate approach and dedication to patients. She helped establish Toronto’s HIV AIDS hospital Casey House and led Vancouver’s Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, shaping two organizations recognized around the world for their care.
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Replicate Bioscience Awarded Grants to Develop New srRNA Vaccines for HIV and Malaria
SAN DIEGO, Jan. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Replicate Bioscience - Company to receive approximately $7 million in funding from the Gates Foundation to use its srRNA platform to develop malaria and HIV candidates to address two of the world's most persistent public health burdens, subject to humanitarian licensing terms
Replicate Bioscience, a clinical-stage company pioneering novel self-replicating RNA (srRNA) technology for applications across infectious disease, immunology, and other therapeutic areas, today announced that it has been awarded two research grants from the Gates Foundation. A grant of approximately $3.5 million will be awarded to support the development of a low-dose, multigenic RNA-based malaria vaccine platform, with the goal of expanding access to effective malaria prevention tools in low- and middle-income countries. A second grant of approximately $3.5 million will support the development of a novel self-replicating RNA-based HIV vaccine candidate to help accelerate progress toward effective and accessible HIV prevention.
ACTG Launches IPACE-HIV to Study Frailty Intervention
CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Jan. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ACTG - ACTG, a global clinical trials network focused on HIV and other infectious diseases, today announced the opening of the IPACE-HIV study (Improving Physical Ability and Cellular Senescence Elimination in HIV), also known as A5426. IPACE-HIV is a phase 2, double-blind, randomized study evaluating the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of dasatinib and quercetin in improving physical function outcomes in people living with HIV who are frail or exhibit symptoms that they may become frail.
People living with HIV often experience diseases and conditions, including frailty, that are associated with aging at younger ages than people who are not living with HIV. This is true even among individuals whose HIV is well-controlled on antiretroviral treatment (ART). Current treatment for physical function impairment and frailty in people living with HIV focuses on non-pharmacologic interventions such as exercise, nutritional support, and management of the comorbidities that can contribute to frailty. Dasatinib and quercetin are senolytics, drugs targeting the cells that play a role in biologic aging. Clinical trials involving this regimen have shown promise in reversing some of the symptoms and signs of frailty, but to date these studies have not included people living with HIV.
What to know about Sask. expanding its free self-testing program for HIV
Jan 08, 2026 - By Nykole King - Regina Leader Post - “It's one more piece of getting more people talking about HIV, getting tested for HIV and getting treated for HIV.”
As Saskatchewan continues to battle high rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the province has announced plans to roll out more sites that offer free self-administered testing kits.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) currently has 45 distribution sites that offer HIV tests across 28 communities. Another 22 sites are to be added once training is completed and stock is available, according to the SHA.
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HIV/AIDS in Tunisia
January 8, 2026 - The Borgen Project - HIV/AIDS in Tunisia is still a challenge, but the country is making steady progress through better testing, treatment and community support. New data highlights the need for continued action to protect vulnerable groups and expand access to care.
Recent studies show that HIV/AIDS in Tunisia is shifting with new infections and AIDS-related deaths rising in recent years. In 2024, researchers estimated that 9,750 people were living with HIV in the country with more than 1,000 new cases recorded. Although national prevalence remains low, the epidemic is concentrated among key populations who face higher risks and significant barriers to care.
The Current Situation in Tunisia
Tunisia’s HIV epidemic remains relatively small, but recent data shows a worrying upward trend. In 2024, an estimated 9,750 people were living with HIV, and more than 1,030 new infections were reported. AIDS-related deaths also reached around 485 people, highlighting gaps in early detection and consistent treatment.
CLINICAL TRIAL SUPPLY MARKET: KEY INNOVATIONS, CHALLENGES, AND MARKET OUTLOOK, 2025
January 8, 2026 - MarketsandMarkets™ - The clinical trial supply chain is experiencing its profound transformation in a decade. The increasing number of decentralized trials, personalized medicines, and the increased global patient recruitment increased pressure on clinical trial supply leaders to deliver speed, precision, and compliance in this volatile environment. The shift to patient-centric supply from site-centric supply, the growth of temperature-sensitive products, and increasingly complex regulatory pathways force sponsors and CROs to reappraise traditional models. In 2025, success is dependent upon real-time visibility, digital intelligence, and robust networks capable of supporting high-variability protocols across diverse geographies. We have spotlighted the most influential trends shaping trends in the clinical trial supply landscape below, informed by current industry research and global thought leadership.
WHO releases updated recommendations on HIV clinical management
Geneva - 7 January 2026 - World Health Organization (WHO) - The World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated recommendations on HIV clinical management providing new and revised guidance on antiretroviral therapy, management of vertical HIV transmission, and tuberculosis (TB) prevention for people living with HIV. These recommendations support an evidence-based, cost-effective approach to improving treatment outcomes, reducing HIV-related mortality and accelerating progress towards ending AIDS as a public health threat.
The guideline reflects significant advances in HIV treatment since the last consolidated WHO guidelines published in 2021 and responds to emerging evidence on optimized antiretroviral regimens and simplified options to TB preventive treatment for people living with HIV.
Sunsetting UNAIDS is a Global and Domestic HIV Threat
January 7, 2026 - By Harold Phillips - POZ - Global health faces yet another unprecedented threat, as UN Secretary-General has proposed a closure of UNAIDS by the end of 2026.
At NMAC, global health infrastructure remains a critical priority to protecting our communities and ending the epidemic. Now, global health faces yet another unprecedented threat, as United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has proposed a closure of UNAIDS by the end of 2026.
This sudden and misguided dismantling would put countless lives in danger, risking increased transmissions and growing death rates from an epidemic that we are so close to ending. As such, we are happy to stand alongside our partners, including Representative Mark Pocan, Chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, and the NGO Delegation to the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board in urging the United Nations to reject this proposal and others like it.
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Viral outbreaks are always on the horizon – here are the viruses an infectious disease expert is watching in 2026
January 7, 2026 - By Patrick Jackson - The Conversation - A new year might mean new viral threats.
Old viruses are constantly evolving. A warming and increasingly populated planet puts humans in contact with more and different viruses. And increased mobility means that viruses can rapidly travel across the globe along with their human hosts.
As an infectious diseases physician and researcher, I’ll be keeping an eye on a few viruses in 2026 that could be poised to cause infections in unexpected places or in unexpected numbers.
McMaster Discovery Could Lead to New Treatments for Drug-Resistant Fungal Infections
January 7, 2026 - By Blake Dillon - McMaster News - McMaster University - Fungal infections kill millions of people each year, and modern medicine is struggling to keep up. But researchers at McMaster University have identified a molecule that may help turn the tide — butyrolactol A, a chemical compound that targets a deadly, disease-causing fungi called Cryptococcus neoformans.
Infections caused by Cryptococcus are extremely dangerous. The pathogen, which can cause pneumonia symptoms, is notoriously drug-resistant, and it often preys on people with weakened immune systems, like cancer patients or those living with HIV. And the same can be said about other fungal pathogens, like Candida auris or — both of which, like Cryptococcus,have been declared priority pathogens by the World Health Organization.
The Government of Canada announces the theme for Black History Month 2026
CHERRY BROOK, Nova Scotia, January 7, 2026 - Government of Canada | Canadian Heritage - Each year, Black History Month honours the experiences, achievements and enduring contributions of Black communities in Canada, while deepening our collective understanding of their history and impact on Canadian society.
Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, unveiled this year’s theme: “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow’s Visionaries.” This theme celebrates three decades of Black History Month in Canada and recognizes the enduring legacy of Black Canadians, whose leadership, creativity, innovation and resilience have shaped our past, continue to influence our present, and will inspire future generations.
Remembering Mark Milano, a committed activist in the fight against HIV/AIDS
January 6, 2026 - By Asia Russell - Mark Milano, a relentless activist, deeply committed HIV treatment educator, and a beloved and inspiring AIDS warrior who fought against injustice his entire life, has passed away after a long battle with cancer. He was 69.
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Mayor of New York City Proclaims Day in Honor of Dr. Mason Blake Pimsler MD His Dedication to Underserved Citizens
NEW YORK CITY, NY, UNITED STATES, January 6, 2026 - EINPresswire.com - Mayor of New York City Proclaims Day in Honor of Dr. Mason Blake Pimsler MD for His Dedication to HIV/AIDS and Homeless Communities, woman’s health, safe haven.
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IAVI announces first vaccinations in IAVI G004, a Phase 1 clinical trial of a promising HIV vaccine approach
NEW YORK, NY — January 6, 2026 - IAVI - International AIDS Vaccine Initiative - Study will examine safety, immune response, and dose of three promising immunogens
- In 2024, 40.8 million people were living with HIV, and 1.3 million people newly acquired HIV -
- The IAVI/Scripps Research HIV vaccine development strategy aims to coach the immune system to produce broadly neutralizing antibodies that could provide broad protection against HIV -
IAVI, a global nonprofit scientific research organization, announces that the first doses of experimental HIV vaccine antigens were administered on December 15, 2025, at the Perinatal HIV Research Unit in Soweto, South Africa, initiating the IAVI G004 clinical trial. IAVI G004 is designed to advance the IAVI/Scripps Research strategy for HIV vaccine development. The hypothesis being tested is that highly specialized vaccine immunogens, delivered in a specific sequence, can target certain B cells within the immune system and coach them toward the production of broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV. Scientists widely believe that a vaccine inducing broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) could provide broad protection against many strains of HIV. Using three immunogens developed by IAVI/Scripps Research delivered on Moderna’s mRNA platform, this study will examine safety, mmune responses, and dose levels.
The Flu Is Surging Across the U.S.
Newswise - 5-Jan-2026 - by George Washington University - The George Washington University - Flu is surging across the U.S. at a faster-than-usual pace, with hospitalizations nearly doubling in a single week and young children among those hit hardest — and doctors warn the season is nowhere near peaking.
New CDC data show flu activity at “high” or “very high” levels in 32 states, up from just 17 the week before. Since October, at least 7.5 million people have been sickened, more than 19,000 have been hospitalized, and roughly 3,100 have died, including a growing number of children.
The Columbia-Educated Priest Fighting Peru’s AIDS Epidemic
Winter 2025-2026 - Arlene Schulman '22JRN - COLUMBIA MAGAZINE - Columbia University - Father Joseph Fedora ’96JRN offers hope, prayers, and healing for Lima’s most vulnerable citizens.
Father Joseph Fedora ’96JRN doesn’t have a traditional pulpit. The shantytowns of Lima, Peru, are his parish. Here the poor live in flimsy houses along unpaved roads, with inadequate sanitation, health care, and food — a stark contrast to the nearby gated communities of mansions overlooking the Pacific, not far from bustling boardwalks lined with tourists.
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HIV disrupts the lung molecular clock, leading to lung inflammation and features of emphysema
05 January 2026 - Nature - Abstract
In the aging HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)-infected population, comorbid diseases are important determinants of morbidity and mortality. People living with HIV (PLWH) demonstrate increased lung inflammation and incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), even after adjusting for smoking status. Disruption of the lung molecular clock has been implicated in the increased lung inflammation observed in COPD and smokers. We hypothesize that the expression of HIV TAT protein in the lungs of PLWHpromotes lung inflammation and features of emphysema due to dysregulation of lung circadian rhythm, determined by the lung molecular clock genes. We demonstrate that HIV TAT upregulates miR-126-3p in primary bronchial epithelial cells and suppresses Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), resulting in downstream effects on core circadian genes such as BMAL1 and PER2, leading to dysregulation of the lung molecular clock. This study identifies TAT/miR-126-3p/SIRT1 axis as an important mediator of HIV-induced lung inflammation in primary human bronchial epithelial cells, SPC-TAT transgenic mice with lung-specific TAT expression, and lungs from HIV-positive donors. Using single-cell RNA sequencing of lungs from 4-month-old SP-C TAT mice, we further show that these mice already exhibit significant alterations in clock gene expression and elevated expression of proinflammatory markers in their young adult stage. Understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms by which HIV disrupts the lung molecular clock and promotes inflammation may help identify therapeutic strategies to mitigate HIV-associated COPD.
What are the biggest vaccine breakthroughs coming in 2026? We asked five experts
5 January 2026 - By Linda Geddes - Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance - From mRNA to HIV, we asked five vaccine leaders to share the advances they believe will shape global health in 2026.
As we move into 2026, the vaccine development landscape is entering a period of remarkable transformation driven by scientific breakthroughs and global collaboration.
Messenger RNA (mRNA) platforms are expanding beyond their initial applications, opening new possibilities for neglected and emerging infectious disease prevention and even therapeutic interventions. At the same time, recombinant protein technologies and viral vectors continue to be prioritised, offering scalable and cost-effective solutions.
Gender-focused training for HIV providers reduces stigma but implementation proves challenging
5 January 2026 - By Edith Magak - aidsmap - “You have to take time with the patient, listen to them, all their stories and baggage…I don’t think we have that environment here. When you have a long line of clients, you aren’t going to give everyone 30 minutes [to] 1 hour listening to all their problems and challenges.”
A gender-sensitivity training programme for HIV healthcare providers in Uganda reduced stigma among clients but failed to improve treatment adherence or satisfaction with care, according to a pilot study published in PLOS Global Public Health.
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HIV funding still falls short of targets after pledges: what’s at stake
January 4, 2026 - The Conversation - The US government paused all foreign assistance in January 2025. This abrupt decision affected the delivery of life-saving HIV medicines and the provision of HIV prevention services to millions of people. A UNAIDS report estimates there could be an additional 6 million new HIV infections and 4 million Aids-related deaths by 2029 if the world does not act.
In November 2025, a global health initiative, The Global Fund, raised US$11.34 billion for HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria. Melanie Bisnauth, a public health professional in healthcare systems strengthening and HIV/Aids leadership, discusses how far this latest funding could go and how African nations can tackle the dwindling funding for HIV/Aids control.
What is the funding status for HIV/Aids?
Raising US$11.34 billion is significant but it falls short of the US$18 billion target. The Global Fund is trying to raise US$18 billion for its work from 2027 to 2029. The Global Fund is a worldwide partnership to end the epidemic of HIV/Aids, tuberculosis and malaria and ensure a healthier, safer and more equitable future for all.
It is only a partial response to the global funding gaps.
Early detection is key to managing HIV—DOH
SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) - January 3, 2026 - Department of Health (DOH) - Philippine Information Agency - The Department of Health (DOH) is urging vulnerable groups to undergo Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) screening to prevent Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Medical Officer IV Rheuel Bobis of the DOH Ilocos Center for Health Development (CHD) noted that early diagnosis is vital for managing HIV. It allows for prompt antiretroviral therapy (ART) to prevent the immune system from weakening.
“It is important for every individual to know their HIV status, especially the most vulnerable population, including sexually active individuals and sex workers,” Bobis said over an episode of the Philippine Information Agency’s Kapihan sa Ilocos.
First Ancient Human Herpesvirus Genomes Document Their Deep History with Humans
Newswise - 2-Jan-2026 - by University of Vienna - Genomic data confirm that certain human herpesviruses became part of the human genome thousands of years ago
For the first time, scientists have reconstructed ancient genomes of Human betaherpesvirus 6A and 6B (HHV-6A/B) from archaeological human remains more than two millennia old. The study, led by the University of Vienna and University of Tartu (Estonia) and published in Science Advances, confirms that these viruses have been evolving with and within humans since at least the Iron Age. The findings trace the long history of HHV-6 integration into human chromosomes and suggest that HHV-6A lost this ability early on.
Meet Monique Carry, a New Leading Voice in the Global HIV Movement U=U
January 2, 2025 - By Trent Straube - POZ - “U=U reminds us that ending the HIV epidemic happens when we pair biomedical advances with truth and compassion,” says Monique Carry, the new acting executive director of Prevention Access Campaign.
The new year definitely means a new start for Monique Carry, PhD, MA, who on January 1 became the acting executive director of Prevention Access Campaign (PAC). The powerhouse nonprofit helped confirm and then broadcast the fact that people living with HIV who achieve and maintain viral suppression through adherence to treatment don’t transmit HIV to others through sex, a fact better known as Undetectable = Untransmittable, or U=U.
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New HIV stigma report to guide South Africa’s fight against discrimination
January 2, 2026 - Soweto Urban - The Citizen - The HIV Stigma Index 2.0 report will highlight experiences of over 5 000 South Africans and provide recommendations to reduce stigma and discrimination, informing policy and community-led initiatives.
A landmark study examining HIV stigma and discrimination in South Africa is set to be launched on Tuesday, December 9, offering insights into persistent challenges and opportunities for positive change.
The HIV Stigma Index 2.0 draws on the experiences of more than 5 000 participants across all nine provinces, covering 18 urban and rural districts.
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How infectious diseases spread and how to stop them?
Jan 02, 2026 - By TOI Lifestyle Desk - Times of India - Dr. Sameer Bhati, Public Health Analystn says that infectious diseases have been with us forever, together with the Common cold and COVID-19. Even though new and advanced treatments and vaccines have come into the picture, the threat of epidemics is still around. To make all people and communities safe, the very first step to take is to figure out how these diseases are spread.
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The scary measles complication that makes your body forget how to fight other infections — as cases rise to highest in 30 years
Jan. 2, 2026 - By By McKenzie Beard - New York Post - In 2025, the US saw a dramatic spike in cases, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting the highest levels of the highly contagious disease in over 30 years.
Now, health experts are sounding the alarm about a little-known complication that can make your body forget how to fight off future infections — putting you at risk for years after your initial symptoms fade.
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How AIDS Helps Cure Cancer
Jan. 1, 2026 - By Ryan Crisman - The Wall Street Journal - Scientists learned to treat deadly diseases by using viruses to deliver cutting-edge genetic therapies.
For most of human history, viruses have been our unseen enemies—particles of RNA and DNA that hijack our cells. Yet a more astonishing truth lies quietly within us: Nearly 8% of the human genome is viral in origin. Evolution repurposed ancient infections into essential parts of human biology, including the placenta and adaptive immunity. Now scientists are using viruses to treat previously deadly diseases.
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