For Immediate Release
Silver Spring, MD, September 26, 2023—The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) received an award through the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to strengthen laboratory systems and services for timely, quality testing for HIV, tuberculosis and HIV-related diseases.
The cooperative agreement, which begins September 30, will strengthen the laboratory workforce and sustainable lab systems and services over five years. It will focus on lab informatics and data systems and help accelerate improvements in integrated diagnostic networks, the clinical-lab interface and public health preparedness and response.
“We are excited to begin this work that will close gaps in the global laboratory response to HIV,” said Scott J. Becker, MS, chief executive officer of APHL. “The award will help us leverage currently effective programs and assure access to quality laboratory systems and services. Through greater collaboration with leading partners in the field, we can better meet PEPFAR goals and control the global HIV/AIDS epidemic.”
APHL organized the Laboratory Improvement Partnership (LIP) to facilitate collaboration and maximize partners’ capabilities to effectively scale efforts toward PEPFAR goals. LIP unites highly proficient laboratory and clinical organizations with extensive experience in implementing PEPFAR laboratory initiatives. The partnership includes APHL, the American Society for Clinical Pathology, CRDF Global, US Pharmacopeia and the University of California San Francisco.
“This partnership marks a significant step forward in the collective laboratory efforts to combat HIV/AIDS and related diseases worldwide,” said Becker. “By consolidating the expertise and resources of these prominent organizations, LIP is set to play a pivotal role in advancing PEPFAR’s vital mission.”
APHL will coordinate LIP activities to achieve maximum effectiveness and avoid duplication of efforts and will build competency of local organizations to eventually assume direct management of PEPFAR-supported activities.
To learn more about APHL’s global health work, visit www.aphl.org/globalhealth.
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The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) works to strengthen laboratory systems serving the public’s health in the US and globally. APHL’s member laboratories protect the public’s health by monitoring and detecting infectious and foodborne diseases, environmental contaminants, terrorist agents, genetic disorders in newborns and other diverse health threats. Learn more at www.aphl.org.
Contact Michelle Forman at 240.485.2793 or michelle.forman@aphl.org
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