HIV

HIV has become a chronic condition thanks to improvements in treatment and care, and people living with the virus increasingly navigate complex health, social and economic issues. Within this evolving landscape, the Bixby Center is transforming HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care worldwide.

Leading in prevention and treatment of HIV

We advocate for scientifically-driven standards that uphold the utmost safety of the blood supply and simultaneously promote equity and reverse historical discrimination in blood donation.

Coalition led by Deb Cohan, MD, and Monica Hahn, MD 

letter to the Food and Drug Administration 

  • Bixby Center clinicians and researchers are helping to create global policies, testing new treatment and prevention options, and providing compassionate, accessible care.
  • Since 1994, the University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences Clinical Trials Unit’s research has informed national and global guidelines on the treatment of HIV/AIDS and related conditions. The program serves as a clinical site for trials for new prevention technologies to help achieve the goal of eliminating HIV in Zimbabwe.
  • Since 1989, HIVE has provided preconception and prenatal care to pregnant people and couples affected by HIV. Since 2005, all babies born in San Francisco have been free of HIV.
  • Bixby researchers have conducted studies and created resources for integrating PrEP into family planning care.

Research to improve outcomes and overcome barriers

Bixby Center researchers are publishing cutting edge research to help increase access for populations that face barriers to HIV prevention and treatment.

  • The SEARCH Study led by Carol Camlin, PhD, develops interventions to improve HIV prevention and care outcomes in highly mobile populations in sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Jerry Ouner, PhD, explores how factors like water insecurity and depression impact consistency of HIV treatment for pregnant and postpartum women.

Sexually transmitted infections

Bixby members are fighting stigma, training the essential workforce, leading groundbreaking research, and providing compassionate care for sexually transmitted infections.

  • The California Prevention Training Center is a national leader in building the capacity of health care professionals working in HIV, STIs, sexual and reproductive health, and emerging public health needs to deliver high-quality, respectful, and inclusive services. Their disease intervention specialists jumped into action to train contact tracers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Bixby members are speaking out in the media, developing policies, and researching treatment barriers to stop the spread of congenital syphilis.
  • Craig Cohen, MD, and Anke Hemmerling, MD, are testing experimental treatments that lower the risk of recurring bacterial vaginosis.
  • The Institute for Health Policy Studies explores young people’s attitudes toward STIs and tests interventions to increase their knowledge of sexual health services. 

    Instead of being afraid of STIs, I want people to feel like they’re empowered to take care of their sexual health.

    Ina Park, MD

    California Prevention Training Center Principal Investigator