|
|
 |
Barcelona Conference receives record number of Abstract submissions
XIV International AIDS Conference press release
|
The XIV International AIDS Conference (Barcelona, Spain, July 2002) has received almost 10 500 abstract submissions from the world's leading scientists, clinicians, community representatives and people living with HIV/AIDS. This is the highest number of submissions ever received in the history of the series of international AIDS conferences.
A total of 10 441 abstract submissions were received - an enormous 3 000 more submissions than at previous conferences. Abstracts were submitted from 145 countries around the globe.
Conference co-chair, Jordi Casabona, said the number of abstracts submitted was an indication that the XIV International AIDS Conference was seen as a forum to discuss the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a global emergency, despite additional global threats that have emerged since September 11 last year.
"This is the world's largest and most important HIV/AIDS conference, bringing together more than 15 000 leading scientists, community leaders, people living with HIV/AIDS, media representatives and policy experts from around the world. It will help to translate the latest scientific advances into action. It will address all aspects of the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, from science to community responses, and human rights to economics. It will present a renewed opportunity for action."
Shaun Mellors, chair of the conference's Interventions, Program Implementation and Policy Committee - the committee responsible for Tracks F and G of the conference's seven track program - believed the large increase in abstract submissions was due to several factors.
"The previous International AIDS Conference in Durban (South Africa, July 2000) was one that re-invigorated the belief in these international events. In addition, Barcelona is a beautiful city and is centrally located, so providing easy access to most regions of the world.
"The past year has seen two major international HIV/AIDS events: The United Nations General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) on HIV/AIDS and the implementation of the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. Many people want to find out what has happened since these two events, and how they can apply this information to their daily lives of trying to live with HIV/AIDS," said Mellors.
In addition, Mellors was encouraged by the large number of countries represented, because it proved that HIV/AIDS knew no borders.
"We are particularly encouraged by the fact that every country in Latin America has submitted abstracts across all seven tracks. This highlights the fact that the bridge between Barcelona and Latin America is a strong one, and goes in both directions", said Mellors.
Of the abstracts received, track F - Interventions and Program Implementation - received the most (2296). Said Mellors: "Interventions and Program Implementation are at the heart of the response to the epidemic, so it is not surprising that this track attracted the most number of abstracts. It is also indicative of the fact that interventions and program implementation cut across all the tracks. Effective programs are pivotal to a meaningful response."
Dr Casabona added: "We are very proud of the addition of these two new tracks (Tracks F an G) to the conference program, and of the acceptance that these new tracks have had amongst abstract submitters. New research and the policies that facilitate the implementation and scaling up of scientific-based prevention programs are the key aspects that can make a different in the future impact of this pandemic."
The abstracts will be reviewed by 1000 reviewers from all over the world. Each abstract will be reviewed by three people, who will allocate a score. These abstracts will then be forwarded to a Conference Marathon Meeting to be held in Barcelona where the final abstracts to be presented at the conference will be selected.
Abstract Statistics by Region
North America 2582
Sub-Saharan Africa 1809
South Africa 396
West Europe 1788
South & South East Asia 1736
Latin America 1661
East Europe & Central Asia 325
East Asia & Pacific 186
Caribbean 142
Australia & New Zealand 126
North Africa & Middle East 84 |
| Was this article helpful to you? |
 ?0%???? ?0%
|
|
Back
|
|
|
|
