HIV / AIDS
Some of our associates have been working in HIV since 1983, the beginning of the epidemic.
One developed the first set of safer sex guidelines in the USA, another had ashes from a crematorium tipped over him by an HIV activist determined to get the last word in a debate over access.
As the world responded to HIV, our people have been instrumental in helping set up clinical trials, frame national policies and build global coalitions.
I really have a sense of joy because I was on my deathbed at the end of 1997. I started on ARVs at a time when it was affordable only for the super-rich like myself. I was using a third of my judge’s salary to pay for my medication and now everyone has access to it.
HIV+ Justice Edwin Cameron, a judge on South Africa’s Constitutional Court
At Baird’s CMC we have a global network of associates who offer on the ground experience and expertise. Among us are activists and advocates, researchers and policy makers. Some have been working in HIV since the early 1980s.
We have worked with patient groups, policy makers, new product development teams, grant giving bodies and donor agencies.
Wherever in the world you are working, we can bring the insight and intelligence you need to deliver effective communications for your HIV/AIDS response.
Our experience includes
- working with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative to set up and run its international programmes
- several major qualitative and policy research studies on the drivers and barriers to introduction of new prevention technologies and treatments
- all the headquarters-level communications work on the introduction of Crixivan®, the world’s first highly active antiretroviral treatment
- pro bono crisis communications work for GNP+, the global network of HIV positive people
- helping the Thai Royal Ministry of Public Health to be sure that communities were ready for HIV vaccine trials
- work for the Government of India on a research strategy in HIV for the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India China, South Africa) and for the Government of South Africa on its HIV vaccine research plan
- a major review and development of recommendations for ViiV’s Positive Action programme on its tenth and fifteenth anniversaries
- mapping of key influencers and patterns of influence in Africa and Asia for one of the world’s ten largest pharmaceutical companies
- a comprehensive review of key stakeholder and policymaker attitudes to new prevention technologies in India, South Africa and the USA (with RAND, the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, Naz India and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, funded by Merck & Co Inc)
The HIV/AIDS epidemic has proved, time and time again, that there is no single, effective response to the challenge.
No one solution.
We need individual, local solutions, tailor made for their unique epidemiological, social, cultural, political and economic mix.
This means not only understanding the local context, but understanding what works, where, when and why.
A local response means
- understanding target populations.
- knowing who to work with and how to work with them
- collecting compelling, local evidence
- being flexible, innovative and willing to adapt
We know this puts a lot of weight on your shoulders. Especially when you are responsible for delivering solutions in some of the most inaccessible parts of the world.
