HANC Newsletter | October 2023 🎃
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The Office of HIV/AIDS Network Coordination (HANC) is located at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, WA. We acknowledge the Coast Salish peoples of this land, the land which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Duwamish, Puyallup, Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations.
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HANC Observes National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day: Spotlighting the Impactful Work of the Latinx Caucus
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On October 15, HANC will observe National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD), emphasizing the need to address HIV's disproportionate impact on Hispanic/Latinx communities, encourage testing, and combat HIV stigma.
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This year on NLAAD, HANC would like to spotlight the work of the Latinx Caucus, a working group of the Legacy Project of the Office of HIV/AIDS Network Coordination (HANC) focused on increasing representation and participation of Hispanics and Latinx communities in HIV research. The Latinx Caucus works to address the unique barriers that prevent Hispanic and Latinx communities from participating in HIV/AIDS research, including efforts to ensure individuals with limited English proficiency are no longer sidelined in research due to language constraints. In response to these challenges, the Caucus has developed
Modulo de Investigación en Prevención del VIH (MIPreVIH), a training module tailored for the Spanish-speaking community, and guidance on how
providers can increase Hispanic and Latinx Representation in HIV clinical research.
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Hispanic/Latino individuals face a higher risk of HIV, influenced by factors like racism, HIV stigma, homophobia, poverty, and inadequate healthcare access. Explore the latest data on HIV in the Hispanic/Latino community and learn about interventions to address these disparities
here.
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Streamlining Financial Disclosures: HANC Adopts AAMC's Convey
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As of May 30, 2023, HANC has switched to a new financial disclosure collection system called Convey. The former disclosure site (fd.hanc.info) was taken offline on May 30, 2023. Over the course of the next few months, Network investigators will receive emails that provide more information about the new financial disclosure collection system. Convey, a global disclosure system developed by the Association of
American Medical Colleges (AAMC), will help us centralize and streamline the data collection and review process. Network investigators will receive information on how to create their personal AAMC Convey account. Please monitor your email for these important instructions. Learn more about Convey and its system by watching this brief
video demonstration.
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ACTG and IMPAACT Laboratory Center Unveils New Public Website
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The ACTG and IMPAACT Laboratory Center (LC) is pleased to announce the launch of the first phase of our evolving public Laboratory Center website.
This is part of a larger endeavor to make more information available to the ACTG and IMPAACT Network Members as well as keep everyone apprised of current project statuses. The website will also provide an opportunity for the general public to become more aware of the types of work conducted by the LC.
Please review the website brochure,
which showcases the information and resources available on the website, including training videos, FAQs, and information about the network laboratories we work with. More information will be coming as we work to incorporate additional material on the website. Please visit new website here.
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ACTIV-2: Pioneering COVID-19 Research - Key Findings and Lessons Revealed
A supplement to the September 1, 2023 edition of the Journal of Infectious Diseases (JID)
is dedicated to ACTIV-2 and includes eight articles written by study team members that report major lessons and findings from the effort. These papers describe critical design elements, including the use of a pooled placebo control group against which different agents were compared, as well as the measures that were developed to assess symptoms and novel analytical approaches that were devised to determine whether they improved or resolved with treatment. Presciently, ACTIV-2 followed participants for as long as 72 weeks to better understand Long COVID and one paper examined the effects of one SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody on the lingering sequelae of COVD-19. Other papers dive into the laboratory aspects of the trials including differences in viral kinetics by variant, the association between detection of viral RNA in the nose and blood and hospitalization, and methods that are best
applied to statistically analyze SARS-CoV-2 viral load levels in a clinical trial.
Together, these papers showcase some of the initial ACTIV-2 accomplishments, but they also highlight the challenges the study team faced as it rapidly stood up an ambitious and unprecedented clinical trial infrastructure during a burgeoning pandemic. This experience has already helped the search for safe and effective COVID-19 treatments and undoubtedly will benefit those who in the future will be tasked with finding therapeutics for the next emerging pathogen threat. We encourage you to learn more by reading the supplement
here.
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No updates from the HVTN in this month's HANC Newsletter; please check back for updates in next month's edition.
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HPTN 096 Study Team Shines at USCHA
More than three thousand attendees convened at this year’s U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA
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from September 6-9 in Washington, D.C. Four days of constructive workshops, inspiring plenaries, and energetic networking activities centered around the theme, “A Love Letter to Black Women.” Plenaries featured inspiring appearances by U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, comedian TS Madison, and many activists, HIV organization leaders, and artists. As a sponsor, the HPTN 096 study
team facilitated an exhibit booth to highlight the study, showcase ongoing engagement activities, and connect with other organizations, attendees, and stakeholders. USCHA 2024 will take place in New Orleans next September.
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Above: HPTN 096 study team members from the HPTN, Yale University, and HPTN 096 Peer Supporters tabling at USCHA 2023. Pictured (Left to Right): Sharon Moore-Edwards, Rita Labbett, Tequetta Valeriano, CaTiffaney Griswould, Lesly McIntyre, Nick Emard, Jason Brock, Caleb Brown, Ernest Brown, Sara Hardin, Joseph Kenny, & Kameron Jacobs. Not pictured: Ernest Brown, Cramita Goss, Tracy Lyons, Uzoji Nwanaji-Enewerem, Cedric Pulliam, Morris Singletary, and Portia Thomas.
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Upcoming conferences and events sponsored by HPTN 096 include:
- South Florida Black Pride – October 4-8, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
- Ujima Men’s Collective “Living in the Light” Conference – October 13-15, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
- Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) Conference – October 25-28, New Orleans
- Annual South Florida Men’s Health Summit – November 2-5, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- National Strength Conference for Men Living w/HIV – November 2-5, Dallas
- The Code Red Gala - December 2, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
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2024 HPTN Annual Meeting Announced
The 2024 HPTN Annual Meeting is scheduled to take place at the JW Marriott on June 14-18, 2024, in Washington, D.C. We are planning for an in-person meeting with a virtual participation option for those unable or who choose not to attend in person. The Annual Meeting will feature several plenaries, presentations, and discussions regarding HIV prevention research and interactive question and answer sessions.
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Gearing Up for the 2023 IMPAACT Annual Meeting: Important Deadlines
Are you ready for the 2023 IMPAACT Annual Meeting?
The hybrid event will take place from 22-27 October in Washington, D.C. Participants can expect a mixture of plenary sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities to benefit researchers, study staff, community representatives, network stakeholders, and advocates alike. Visit the IMPAACT Network website to register, view an early agenda, find travel information, and more.
Important deadlines:
- 6 October 2023 – Last day to submit a poster submission form.
- 8 October 2023 – Last day to book accommodations at the overflow hotel block.
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Behavioral and Social Sciences
Greg Davis, HANC Project Manager
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Financial Disclosure Working Group: The HANC-facilitated annual solicitation was sent to select Network investigators on September 21 via Convey – a global disclosure system. The solicitation period runs through October 21. A reminder will be sent to investigators that have not yet completed their disclosure on October 4. A final reminder will be sent on October 11.
Behavioral Science Consultative Group: The Behavioral Science Consultative Group is finalizing the 2024 work plan for the group as they discuss potential projects for the group in 2024. The group will be co-chaired by Dr. Ira Wilson and Dr. Michele Andrasik. The BSCG will start discussing its 2024 face-to-face meeting in the next month or two.
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Community Coordination
Greg Davis, HANC Project Manager
Russell Campbell, HANC Director
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Community Partners: Community Partners (CP) is drafting their 2024 work plan. The 2024 work plan will look different than it has in the past. Instead of having 5 different work groups (CP, CP Executive Committee, Community Ethics WG, CP Research Priorities WG, and Community Training WG), CP will convene ad-hoc groups to complete projects. CP hopes this will keep members engaged and active throughout the year.
Community Partners Executive Committee (CPEC): CPEC recently reconvened and began working on its 2024 work plan. The CPEC will help guide the direction of CP in 2024. Currently, the CPEC has representatives from three of the four networks. HANC will work with HVTN to fill HVTN’s open positions.
TB Vaccine Community Engagement Strategy WG: HANC has formed a new work group tasked with developing a TB vaccine community engagement strategy for the NIH HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Networks. Three of the four networks (ACTG, HVTN, and IMPAACT) will be conducting TB vaccine trials. The group held its first meeting in September and will meet monthly moving forward. If you have interest in joining the group, please reach out to HANC Project Manager, Greg Davis.
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Cross-Network Coordination
Kathleen Pescasio, HANC Cross-Network Project Manager
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The Cross-Network Protocol Deviation Working Group (PDWG) has completed the review and sign-off of the Protocol Deviation Reporting Guide. The group is working on sharing the updated guidelines and determining next steps for the management and processing of protocol deviations.
The Communications Working Group (CWG) met in September to share network engagements at recent conferences, plans for upcoming annual meetings, and ways to improve science accessibility within the community. The group also reviewed an updated version of the NIAID HIV Language Guide which will soon be finalized.
The Evaluation Working Group (EWG) held a meeting with representatives from OCSO to discuss standardization for evaluation metrics and reporting within the networks.
The Cross-Network Site Coordinators Working Group (SCWG) continues to revise the Onboarding/Training Checklist, which will be used as a resource for new Site Coordinators at DAIDS-sponsored clinical trial sites. The group is also reviewing a plan for a Community Volunteers Mentorship Program.
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Laboratory Coordination
Tyler Brown, HANC Laboratory Project Manager
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The Lab Technologists SOP Working Group met in September to revise the Guidelines for Shipping and Receiving Biological Substance, Category B Specimens. The group aims to publish an updated version of this SOP by the end of October.
The Lab Focus Group held a regular monthly conference call to address issues related to cross-network lab activities, specifically discussing implications of a recently announced
NIH Subaward Policy and insights gained from a recent LC vendor audit.
In September, the Bioanalytical Revision Assay Group held a meeting to review and publish an updated iteration of the CPQA Bioanalytical Method Validation (BMV) Guidelines.
A new version of the CPQA BMV Guidelines is slated for release later this fall.
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The Legacy Project
Brian Minalga, HANC Deputy Director
Pedro Goicochea, HANC Community Engagement Officer
Gabriella Olague, HANC Project Coordinator
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- 9/6: Engaging HBCUs to Diversify the HIV workforce: Evidence2Practice (E2P) Program. 110 attendees.
- 9/6: Unraveling Molecular HIV Surveillance: Detangling Criminalization from Public Health Activities. 150 attendees.
- 9/6: Still we Rise, Forging a Women’s Centered HIV Research Paradigm, a poster by the Women’s HIV Research Collaborative was visited by 30 people.
- 9/7: Implementación de la Justicia del Lenguaje para el Enrolamiento de Hispanos en la Investigación de VIH/SIDA, the Latinx Caucus. 40 attendees.
- 9/7: Addressing Drug Use Bias & Stigma in HIV Settings. 86 attendees.
10/6-10/8: Russell Campbell will be presenting the HPR Module on behalf of the Legacy Project as part of E2P at Xavier University to undergraduate students from the Xavier Premed program.
10/15: Legacy Project project recognizes National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day.
10/16: Latinx Caucus members will facilitate the workshop “Language Access and Justice Initiative (LAJi)” at the HVTN Regional Conference in Seattle.
10/25-27: Latinx Caucus member Rafael Gonzalez will be presenting “El rol y aplicación de la Justicia del Lenguaje para el Enrolamiento en la Investigación de VIH/SIDA” at Encuentros 2023.
New Investigators Working Group: The ATN Scholars Program seeks to increase opportunities for scientists from groups under-represented in HIV prevention research. Successful applicants will be investigators who have received their terminal degree (MD, PhD, etc.).
Be the Generation: This quarter’s Be the Generation newsletter has been released in English and Spanish with contributions from HPTN, HVTN and IMPAACT! To read all the latest updates head over to
bethegeneration.org!
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Annual HVTN Conference (Seattle, USA)
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Annual IMPAACT Network Meeting (Washington DC, USA)
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HPTN Annual Network Meeting (Washington DC, USA)
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