Why is it important to conduct HIV vaccine trials in low-and-middle-income countries and diverse population groups?
HIV/AIDS is a disease that knows no boundaries – geographic, socio-economic, gender, age or otherwise. The burden of the disease is greatest in low-and-middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and in the Caribbean, East Asia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It is also particularly entrenched amongst vulnerable groups in society, such as the homeless; indigenous peoples; people who inject drugs; the mentally ill and other disabled persons; commercial sex workers; men who have sex with men; prisoners and persons in detention; and migrant workers – people who are isolated from family and support networks; and those whose gender, sexual orientation, culture or personal circumstances make them dependent on, and vulnerable to others. In many low and middle income countries, and particularly sub-Saharan Africa, women and girls continue to be affected disproportionately by HIV: women account for approximately 60% of new HIV infections in the region. Involving at-risk popula
