IAPAC Launches First-of-its-Kind Fast-Track Cities Podcast at AIDS 2018 to Tell the Story of the Urban AIDS Response from its Beginning to Today

Episodes 1 Through 3 of Season 1’s 12 Episodes
Now Available on iTunes and Google Play

Amsterdam, Netherlands (July 24, 2018) – The International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) today launched an innovative podcast series focused on telling the story of the urban AIDS response globally. The podcast series is named, Fast-Track Cities, after an initiative of the same name that is working with more than 250 cities worldwide that are accelerating their local AIDS responses to end AIDS as a public health threat. Through compelling storytelling, each episode features interviews from some of the most prominent voices in the global AIDS movement – including people living with and affected by HIV, clinicians, scientists, government officials, representatives from community organizations, and many more. The Fast-Track Cities podcast was officially launched today during a Fast- Track Cities reception held in conjunction with the 22nd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018) and with the first three episodes of its 12-episode first season now available for free download on iTunes and Google Play.

“After spending the last almost four years focused on advancing the Fast-Track Cities objectives, we want to give voice to the inspiring stories about the urban AIDS response that uniquely vary city-by-city,” said Dr. José M. Zuniga, President and CEO, IAPAC. “We are excited to launch the Fast-Track Cities podcast to tell these stories in a powerful way through the podcast medium. Our goal is not only to educate our audience about HIV/AIDS globally, but to share the best practices that cities working in partnership with communities are advancing to ensure that no one is left behind as we strive to end AIDS as a public health threat. I would like to personally thank everyone who graciously participated in the first season as we could not have done this without you and your personal anecdotes.”

The genesis of this podcast was born out of the successes that IAPAC observed working with cities that form the Fast-Track Cities initiative, which was launched on December 1, 2014. To date, the initiative has catalyzed high HIV burden cities around the world towards attaining the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) 90-90-90 and zero stigma targets by 2020. With more than 250 cities now having signed the Paris Declaration on Fast- Track Cities Ending AIDS, and unprecedented momentum achieved by most Fast-Track Cities, there is a powerful story to be told regarding a reinvigorated urban AIDS response.

The Fast-Track Cities podcast’s first three episodes include a history of the HIV epidemic from the perspective of cities such as Amsterdam, Cape Town, Nairobi, New York City, and San Francisco (Episode 1); an overview of the science of HIV, with a review of the current state of HIV prevention and treatment interventions (Episode 2); and a description of the Fast-Track Cities initiative, from its genesis in 2014 through to the work that it is advancing today.

“Given the current global push to end AIDS as a public health threat, it is critical that the voices of local everyday heroes engaged in accelerated urban AIDS responses are heard and that their stories be told,” said Dr. Zuniga. “We must do everything we can to protect and gain funding for high HIV burden cities; ensure sustained political will; employ innovation to scale-up HIV prevention, linkage to care and access to treatment; and eliminate barriers such as stigma that jeopardize sustained progress. It is our goal that the Fast-Track Cities podcast series will leverage the successes of almost four decades of urban AIDS responses and spur conversation and advance positive action in every city of the world.”

Season 1 Episode Guide:

 IAPAC has curated significant content for the Fast-Track Cities podcast and plans to add on a second season to share many more powerful urban AIDS response stories across every region the world, several of which are untold. Additionally, IAPAC is looking for other stories and perspectives, as well as feedback on podcast episodes, which can be shared by emailing iapac@iapac.org. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please visit the Fast-Track Cities Podcast webpage.

About the Fast-Track Cities Initiative

Fast-Track Cities is an approach for cities to accelerate their local AIDS responses, supported by four core partners – IAPAC, UNAIDS, UN-Habitat, and the City of Paris – in collaboration with local, national, regional and international implementing and technical partners.

Combining the efforts of city governments, Mayors, affected communities, local health departments, and clinical/service providers, the initiative aims to build upon, strengthen and leverage existing HIV programs and resources to accelerate locally coordinated, city- wide responses to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Visit www.fast-trackcities.org for more information.

About IAPAC

The International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) represents more than 30,000 clinicians and allied health care professionals in over 150 countries. Its mission is to improve the quality of and increase access to HIV prevention, care, treatment, and support services for men, women, and children affected by and living with HIV and comorbid conditions (e.g., tuberculosis, viral hepatitis). For more information about IAPAC and its 32- year history of marshaling the health professions to end the HIV epidemic, please visit www.iapac.org.

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For more information:

Lindsay G. Deefholts
Global Communications and Advocacy Consultant
ldeefholts@gmail.com
+ 1 416 301 7966