2022 POLICY PAPERS

2022 Policy Papers

Mpox briefing papers

Policy papers on mpox can be found here.

HIV and Sexual Health Care for People with a CALD Background Policy papers

Discussion Paper: Barriers to Accessing HIV and Sexual Health Care for People with a CALD Background

This paper identifies specific issues and barriers to universal health care for people from a CALD background in relation to HIV and sexual health. The paper summarises key research from within Australia, as well as international research with people from CALD backgrounds in high-income countries, as well as including reference to the experiences of services providers. The final section proposes recommendations that can help build on our strengths and partnerships in our response to HIV in Australia.

Published: June 2022

Each of the below briefing papers focuses on a specific aspect of the Discussion Paper.

Survey Results

Recent Diagnosis & the Impact of Support on the Experiences of HIV (RISE)

This brief updates Australia’s HIV sector on the RISE study – a Kirby Institute qualitative cohort study of 28 people recently diagnosed with HIV.1 This report is comprised of in-depth interviews with participants, most of whom completed follow up discussions after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published: 24 June 2022

Covid-19 Results from the Flux Study

The brief updates Australia’s HIV sector on the Flux Study at the Kirby Institute at the University of NSW. Results from these studies provide insight into the impact of COVID-19 ongoing risk of HIV and sexual and mental health among gay and bisexual men.

Published: 10 June 2022

Recent Findings from the Gay Community Periodic Survey

This brief updates Australia’s HIV sector on three journal articles published from the Gay Community Periodic Surveys from the Centre for Social Research in Health at the University of NSW. The findings from these surveys provide insight into some of the communities we work with, particularly gay and bisexual men.

Published: 10 May 2022

Conferences

2022 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infection

The Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) provides a forum for scientists and clinical investigators to present, discuss, and critique their investigations into the epidemiology and biology of human retroviruses and associated diseases. This paper summarises the insights on prevention, treatment and testing of retroviruses and opportunistic infections that were discussed at the CROI.

Published: 10 May 2022

Federal Politics

2022-23 AFAO Federal Post-Election Budget Analysis

This briefing outlines measures announced in the Australian Government’s 2022-23 Budget handed down 25 October 2022. This budget takes the form of a ‘mini-budget’, providing the new Labor Government with an opportunity to propose allocations that will deliver on its election commitments. We highlight budget measures that will be of particular interest to AFAO’s communities on HIV and LGBTIQ health.

Published: 26 October 2022

2022-23 AFAO Federal Budget Analysis

This briefing paper outlines the measures relevant to HIV, LGBTIQ health and other HIV-affected communities in Australia, Asia and the Pacific announced in the Australian Government’s 2022-23 Budget (the Budget) on Tuesday, 29 March. The briefing draws on papers from the Treasury, the Department of Health and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and analyses from non-governmental health, welfare, and development peak organisations.

Published: 7 April 2022

2022 Federal Election Survey

Ahead of the 2022 federal election, AFAO developed election asks, in consultation with its membership and the broader HIV sector, regarding the HIV response in Australia and in Asia and the Pacific. These asks were provided to the major parties (the Liberal National Coalition, the Australian Labor Party and the Australian Greens) in the form of a survey. Each of the parties formally responded to the survey.

Published: 2022

Update: Changes to HIV Treatment Access for People Ineligible for Medicare

This briefing paper updates the HIV community workforce on a Commonwealth initiative to provide equitable access to HIV treatment for people ineligible for Medicare.