The Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC), a global membership organization, was founded in 1987. The mission of ANAC is to foster the professional development of nurses and others involved in the delivery of health care for persons at risk for, living with and/or affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its comorbidities. ANAC promotes the health, welfare, and rights of people living with HIV around the world. We are guided by our core values: Knowledge, Collaboration, Advocacy, Diversity, and Professional Support.
The following pillars are broad-based and provide the framework for individual, chapter, and organizational global and domestic efforts in education and advocacy on specific health policy issues within each pillar. Educating nurses, other health care providers, policymakers, and the public about these issues is an important part of advocacy. We support the meaningful involvement of people living with or at risk for HIV in each pillar. Through our organizational and membership activities and through collaborations in nursing, HIV and public health coalitions, we strive to address the following policy issues:
Pillar 1: Access to Care for all People Living With or At Risk for HIV
* Advocate for adequate and equitable funding for domestic and global health care programs for people living with or at risk for HIV across the lifespan.
* Educate and advocate for comprehensive, accessible, person-centered care models and service delivery for people living with or at risk for HIV.
* Support for equity in access and benefits across domestic and international programs for people living with or at risk for HIV.
Pillar 2: Human Rights for All People Living With or At Risk for HIV
* Identify and advocate for changing laws and policies that are harmful and stigmatizing to people living with or at risk for HIV.
* Identify and address intersecting issues that include the impact of the social determinants of health on health outcomes for people living with or at risk for HIV across the lifespan.
* Educate providers, policymakers, and the public about the impact of stigma, harmful laws, policies, and inequitable social determinates of health on health outcomes for people living with or at risk for HIV.
Pillar 3: Evidence-Based HIV and Related Prevention, Care, and Treatment Programs
* Advocate for the development and implementation of evidence-based prevention, care, and treatment programs that address HIV, related comorbidities, co-occurring conditions, and health promotion for people living with or at risk for HIV across the lifespan.
* Support strategies and programs that are based on the status neutral continuum. Status neutral includes a focus on HIV testing, prevention services (PrEP), and effective treatment (U=U).
* Support for age-appropriate, evidence-based, comprehensive sexual education that is inclusive of all sexual and gender identities and reproductive health content.
Pillar 4: Recognition of Nursing and HIV Workforce Issues That Impact the Quality of HIV-Related Patient Care. Investments in Nursing Education, Practice, Research, and Leadership are Required to Support
* Nurse health, well-being, and safety
* Nursing practice at the full extent of education and training, including full practice authority
* Research that informs evidence-based nursing practice
* Fair and equitable payment and reimbursements for nursing services and expertise
* Diversity & equity in nursing education, funding, leadership, and practice
* Promotion of established and emerging nurse-led models of health care delivery
* Recognition of the critical role of nurses in emergency preparedness and responses.
More information:
WHO State of the world's nursing 2020 report. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240003279
National Academy of Medicine Future of Nursing report 2020-2030. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/25982/Highlights_Future%20of%20Nursin
Submitted ANAC Policy & Advocacy Committee August 2022
Approved ANAC Board of Directors September 2022
Disclosures
The author report no financial interests or potential conflicts of interest.