AbbVie launches awareness campaign for women with HIV

AbbVie has announced the launch of a new international awareness campaign to address the unique challenges faced by women living with HIV.

Entitled See Us: Women Take a Stand on HIV, the campaign will be overseen by an expert steering committee that includes women living with and affected by HIV, as well as representatives from the medical community, the International Association of Providers in AIDS Care and charity group NAM/Aidsmap.

An informational tool will be developed over the coming months as a resource for women living with HIV, while efforts will be made to build a broader sense of community and gain support from national and international organisations focused on females and HIV.

Women are the fastest-growing group within the population of people living with HIV globally and face issues such as violence and discrimination, a lack of access to care and an increased risk for multiple disease complications.

Dr Marisol Martinez-Tristani, medical director for AbbVie's global medical affairs division, said: "Through this campaign we will engage in efforts to reach the HIV community to collectively improve both emotional support and long-term care for these women."

In September 2013, the company also announced a new alliance with Galapagos, which will see the firms working together to create new cystic fibrosis therapies.