Introduction

On December 4, key leaders from the forefront of public health and activism gathered at the M•A•C Cosmetics offices in New York City for a pivotal panel discussion, emphasizing the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS. Nancy Mahon, Chief Sustainability Officer of the Estée Lauder Companies and former executive director of the M•A•C AIDS Fund, opened the event with a stark reminder of the challenges that remain in the sector. "Many years ago, I think we all thought we’d be out of business by now. But the truth is there’s still a lot of good work to do, and this room is filled with folks who are doing that good work," she stated, highlighting the commitment to continue advocacy and research.

Panel Discussion

The panel, co-organized by amfAR and M•A•C VIVA GLAM, featured a distinguished lineup of speakers including Kiara St. James, founder and executive director of the New York Transgender Advocacy Group; Dr. Robert Pitts, medical director at the HIV Prevention and Pride Center at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue; and Dr. Andrea Gramatica, vice president and director of research at amfAR. Moderated by amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost, the session delivered an engaging dialogue covering a spectrum of critical topics, including HIV stigma, effective safer sex messaging, and socio-economic factors impacting HIV transmission.

Humanity in Science

Dr. Gramatica highlighted the human aspect of scientific advancement, stating, "As a scientist, it’s a reminder to always keep pushing the boundaries of science while trying not to lose sight of the humanity that drives our effort." Dr. Pitts echoed this sentiment, addressing the social inequalities that persist in the fight against HIV: "It’s a reminder to me of the inequities that still exist in terms of who is getting HIV, where people are getting HIV, and the social constructs that put someone at risk for HIV."

Advocacy for Economic Opportunities

Kiara St. James passionately advocated for addressing the economic opportunities available to youth, particularly in marginalized communities. "We need to educate our youth about the benefits of being HIV negative and to give them hope. If folks do not see that they have a future, it’s going to be really hard to convince them to get on PrEP or use condoms," she said, stressing the importance of comprehensive education in preventing new infections.

Addressing Misconceptions

Misconceptions surrounding HIV transmission also emerged as a topic of concern during the discussion. Dr. Pitts revealed that many of his patients still worry about the possibility of unintentionally transmitting the virus to others, including children. He emphasized the importance of educating both patients and the greater public about the U=U principle—"undetectable equals untransmittable"—which reassures individuals that effective treatment can eliminate the risk of transmission.

Conclusion and Legacy

As the event concluded, Kevin Robert Frost reminded attendees of amfAR's legacy in community-informed research. "We actually established the first community-based clinical trials program in America, and it radically reshaped the way drugs were tested and ultimately approved by the FDA. amfAR has a long track record of investing in community organizations because we believe in letting communities lead. It’s part of our DNA," he asserted, underscoring the essential role of grassroots efforts in combating HIV.

Final Thoughts

The convergence of science, public health, and grassroots advocacy at the amfAR + M•A•C event serves as a testament to the ongoing commitment to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the crucial need for continued innovation, equity, and education.