This episode of HIV unmuted introduces a new host and format for the award-winning IAS podcast. Our host, Juan Michael Porter II, the Senior Editor for TheBody/TheBodyPro, takes a deep dive with a single guest in an intimate conversation that gives the listener a glimpse of the guest – who they are and how they got into this work – and an understanding of their topic of expertise. 

This new format opens with Sharon Lewin, the IAS President and AIDS 2024 International Co-Chair, walking us through the latest HIV science released at AIDS 2024, the 25th International AIDS Conference, and what it means for the HIV response. This episode delves into a broad range of exciting science, from long-acting injectables to new research on doxycycline prophylaxis to advances in cure research, including inspiration from the “next Berlin Patient”.

Through the lens of her personal story, Sharon walks us through the context and challenges of the HIV response, such as changing global health priorities and reduced funding for HIV. Astounding progress has been made in the HIV response. Yet, we are still missing critical targets. Sharon makes it clear that if we are to envision the end of the HIV pandemic, we must address persisting inequalities that remain in the HIV response: we must put people first.