What are the most effective patient advocacy models and frameworks for patients with HIV/AIDS?

1 Peer-based advocacy

Peer-based advocacy is a model that involves people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) as advocates for themselves and others who share their condition and experiences. Peer-based advocates can provide emotional support, practical assistance, information, education, and referrals to other PLHIV, as well as raise awareness and challenge stigma and discrimination in their communities and society. Peer-based advocacy can also empower PLHIV to participate in decision-making processes that affect their health and wellbeing, such as policy development, service delivery, and research. Peer-based advocacy can be effective because it builds trust, solidarity, and resilience among PLHIV, and leverages their lived expertise and insights.

2 Rights-based advocacy

Rights-based advocacy is a model that focuses on the human rights of patients with HIV/AIDS, and how they can be protected and promoted in the context of health care and services. Rights-based advocates can use legal and ethical frameworks, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and the UNAIDS Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS, to identify and address the violations and barriers that patients with HIV/AIDS face in accessing their rights to health, privacy, non-discrimination, participation, and dignity. Rights-based advocacy can also mobilize and collaborate with other human rights organizations, activists, and movements to advocate for systemic change and accountability at local, national, and global levels. Rights-based advocacy can be effective because it challenges the structural and institutional factors that fuel the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and demands justice and equity for patients with HIV/AIDS.

3 Community-based advocacy

Community-based advocacy is a model that involves the engagement and participation of patients with HIV/AIDS and their communities in designing, implementing, and evaluating health care and services that meet their needs and preferences. Community-based advocates can use participatory methods, such as community mapping, dialogue, feedback, and action research, to identify and prioritize the issues and solutions that matter to patients with HIV/AIDS and their communities. Community-based advocates can also facilitate and strengthen the links and partnerships between patients with HIV/AIDS, health care providers, policymakers, funders, and other stakeholders, to ensure that health care and services are responsive, accessible, acceptable, and accountable. Community-based advocacy can be effective because it harnesses the collective power and resources of patients with HIV/AIDS and their communities, and fosters ownership and sustainability of health care and services.

4 Evidence-based advocacy

Evidence-based advocacy is a model that uses scientific data and research to inform and support the claims and recommendations of patient advocates for HIV/AIDS. Evidence-based advocates can collect, analyze, synthesize, and disseminate relevant and reliable evidence on the epidemiology, prevention, treatment, care, and impact of HIV/AIDS, as well as the best practices and innovations in health care and services for patients with HIV/AIDS. Evidence-based advocates can also use evidence to monitor and evaluate the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of health care and services for patients with HIV/AIDS, and to identify and address the gaps and challenges that need improvement. Evidence-based advocacy can be effective because it enhances the credibility, legitimacy, and persuasiveness of patient advocates for HIV/AIDS, and influences the policies, practices, and behaviors of health care providers, policymakers, funders, and other stakeholders.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?