The HIV and Noncommunicable Diseases Comorbidities in Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs) workshop, hosted by the Center for Global Health Studies (CGHS) at Fogarty in the spring of 2013, provided a scientific forum for discussion regarding the state of the science and identification of key HIV and NCD comorbidities research priorities, with the goal of catalyzing research collaborations and investment in these areas.
The three-day workshop was divided into two components:
- A scientific symposium on the first day allowed for experts in various NCD fields to present on the pressing challenges and needs for HIV/NCD research, and for discussion on both cross-cutting challenges and how NIH and other funders’ current portfolios and future interests could align with identified research areas. In addition to researchers, participants included other NIH Institutes and Centers, multilateral organizations, other U.S. government agencies, and the World Bank.
- The second and third day writer's retreat format brought together small groups of U.S. and LMIC scientific experts to work on articles that articulate the current scientific landscape and urgent research priorities in specific HIV and NCD comorbidities areas.
Results
Articles generated as a part of the writer's retreat were published as a supplement in the Journal of AIDS in 2014. This series of articles highlighted the key clinical, programmatic and health systems research priorities of specific HIV and NCD comorbidities, and is intended to stimulate new research and scientific collaborations, as well as creative partnerships involving a range of sectors and stakeholders.
Background
As antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) have extended the lives of those infected with HIV/AIDS, NCD comorbidities have become a critical issue for HIV-infected populations and an area of research importance for the NIH. To date, little research has been conducted on the impacts of long-term ART for various NCDs, or what the interactions between HIV and NCDs mean for HIV and NCD treatment.
Steering Committee
- Dr. Sten Vermund, Vanderbilt University
- Dr. Venkat Narayan, Emory University
Partners
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
- NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR)
Updated March 2016