Over the past few decades, the world has made major progress in the fight against HIV. Advances in prevention, testing, and treatment have transformed HIV from a life-threatening disease into a condition that can be managed with the right care and support.

Yet, many adolescents and young adults are still not benefiting equally from these advances, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where the burden of HIV remains high.

Young people between the ages of 15 and 24 continue to face challenges when it comes to HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and long-term care. Many are less likely to get tested, remain in care, or consistently take medication. In some communities, stigma, limited access to youth friendly services, and lack of support continue to create barriers to care.

A recent study titled “Strengthening implementation science research to improve adolescent and young adult HIV prevention and care in Sub-Saharan Africa: PATC³H-IN” explores how researchers and health partners across Africa are working to address these challenges in more practical and community focused ways.

At its core, implementation science focuses on understanding how proven health solutions can work better in real-world settings and communities.

Turning Research into Real World Impact

At the center of this effort is the PATC³H-IN network, a collaboration involving eight Clinical Research Centers across six African countries (figure 1). The network was created to improve how HIV prevention and care services are delivered to adolescents and young adults living in resource constrained settings.

Figure 1. Screenshot of the PATC³H-IN Network homepage. Source: PATC³H-IN Website Homepage

What makes this initiative important is its focus not only on discovering solutions, but also on understanding how to make existing interventions more effective in everyday life. A healthcare program may work well in research settings but still struggle in communities facing stigma, limited healthcare access, or economic challenges.

The PATC³H-IN network aims to close this gap by studying how HIV services can be adapted and delivered more effectively across different communities.

Testing New Approaches Across Africa

The network includes projects in Nigeria, Uganda, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, and Tanzania. Each research center focuses on specific challenges affecting young people in their communities.

Some projects focus on improving HIV prevention among adolescent girls and young women, while others support young people already living with HIV to improve treatment adherence and long-term care. Several projects also focus on key populations, including sexual and gender minority youth, who often face additional barriers to healthcare access.

Across the network, researchers are testing a variety of approaches designed to improve health outcomes for young people. Some projects use peer support systems, where young people help guide others through HIV testing and treatment services. Others use digital tools such as mobile platforms and video-based counseling interventions to improve engagement and access to care

There are also efforts to make healthcare spaces more welcoming and youth friendly. In some settings, projects are working directly with healthcare workers, pharmacies, and local communities to reduce stigma and improve trust between young people and healthcare providers.

Putting Young People at the Center

One of the most important parts of the PATC³H-IN network is its focus on involving young people directly in the research process. Instead of treating adolescents and young adults only as participants, many of the projects actively engage them in shaping the design and direction of the work.

Young people are helping researchers understand what barriers exist in their communities, what kinds of services feel accessible and supportive, and what changes are needed to improve care. The network also established a youth advisory board with representatives from different research centers to guide activities across the program.

This level of engagement matters because programs designed with young people are more likely to reflect real needs and gain community acceptance.

Why Collaboration Matters

Another major strength of the network is collaboration. By working across multiple countries and research centers, teams are able to learn from one another and share ideas in real time. Researchers can compare strategies across different settings and identify what works best under different circumstances.

The study also highlights the importance of adapting health interventions to local contexts. A strategy that works well in one setting may need adjustments before it can succeed somewhere else. Cultural differences, health systems, and community attitudes all influence how healthcare programs are received and implemented.

Beyond improving HIV care, the network is also helping strengthen research capacity across Africa by supporting collaboration between researchers, healthcare providers, policymakers, and young people.

Moving Closer to Ending the HIV Epidemic

The work being done through PATC³H-IN reflects a broader shift in global health thinking. More attention is now being given to community engagement, local leadership, and practical solutions that fit the realities of people’s lives.

The study makes one thing clear. Scientific discoveries alone are not enough to end the HIV epidemic. Success also depends on how well those discoveries are delivered, adapted, and sustained within communities.

The tools to prevent and treat HIV already exist. The challenge now is making sure they reach adolescents and young adults in ways that are accessible, effective, and responsive to their needs.

Efforts like the PATC³H-IN network are helping move the world closer to that goal. For millions of young people across Africa, initiatives like this could help turn scientific progress into real and lasting impact.

Learn More

This blog post is based on the study “Strengthening implementation science research to improve adolescent and young adult HIV prevention and care in Sub-Saharan Africa: PATC³H-IN” published in BMC Public Health. Readers interested in the full research can access the original publication here: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-24995-0

How can we best sustain HIV services in resource-constrained settings? This was the simple question behind the Phoenix Open Call.

What followed went far beyond answers — it revealed lived experience, practical innovation, and community-driven vision from across the globe.

We received 422 submissions from 34 countries, each reflecting the realities of young people and community leaders working tirelessly to keep HIV services running, often amid shrinking resources, fragile health systems, and shifting donor priorities. Together, these submissions demonstrated both the scale of the challenge and the ingenuity already present within communities

The Phoenix Open Call was designed to surface and amplify solutions that protect existing HIV services, minimize disruptions, and strengthen community and local leadership. The ideas we received affirmed the importance of investing in people closest to the problem, and the solution.

Meet the Top 20 Winners

After a rigorous review process, we are pleased to announce the Top 20 Winners of the Phoenix Open Call. Submissions were evaluated based on their relevance to the challenge, clarity and conciseness, innovation and practicality, feasibility and scalability, and their commitment to equity and meaningful community engagement. Special emphasis was placed on solutions grounded in real-world experience, lessons learned, and evidence-informed approaches that can be adapted across diverse settings.

Common Themes

Across regions and contexts, several shared themes emerged. Many finalists proposed locally grounded models that reduce reliance on external funding, including community-driven revenue generation and cost-sharing approaches. Others emphasized peer-led distribution and support networks that lower patient costs and improve continuity of care. Several submissions also highlighted innovative incentive structures to retain health workers when formal systems struggle.

Collectively, these ideas reflect a shift toward resilience, adaptability, and community ownership.

What’s Next

The Top Four Winners will be recognized at the PATC³H-IN Conference in Lagos, Nigeria, where they will present their ideas during a panel session and engage with policymakers, funders, and collaborators. These finalists will receive full conference sponsorship, including airfare, accommodation, and visa costs.

All 20 finalists will receive cash awards ranging from $400 to $1000. Additionally, all eligible participants will receive certificates of participation in recognition of their contributions.

The Phoenix team is also working on a manuscript based on the analysis of data generated through this global crowdsourcing open call. This manuscript will examine cross-cutting insights, implementation strategies, and emerging patterns from submissions across regions, with the aim of contributing to the evidence base on sustaining HIV services in resource-constrained settings.

Thank you

We extend our sincere appreciation to the individuals and teams whose submissions did not make the final 20. The review process involved difficult decisions, and every submission contributed meaningfully to our collective understanding of what sustainable HIV service delivery can look like across diverse settings.

We are deeply grateful to the Phoenix Open Call steering committee, organizing team, judges, and our partner organizations—INSPIRE, SESH, LIGHT, AVAC, 4Youth By Youth, NIMR, and PATC³H-IN, whose collective effort made this initiative possible.