DHAPP

In 1999 the White House announced the LEADERSHIP AND INVESTMENT IN FIGHTING AN EPIDEMIC (LIFE) initiative to address the AIDS pandemic mainly in sub-Saharan Africa countries and India, in efforts to prevent the further spread of HIV and to care for those affected by this devastating disease. As a result of the LIFE initiative and to reach foreign militaries in 2000 the Department of the Navy was designated as the Executive Agency and the Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, California was appointed the Executive Agent due to their recognition of expertise in HIV prevention among US military personnel and their longstanding record of achievement in researching and introducing innovative products and services for the Department of Defense. The DOD HIV/AIDS Prevention Program (DHAPP) was launched that same year and has now established presence in 27 sub-Saharan African nations. USAID, CDC, UNAIDS and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have partnered with DHAPP to address country-specific needs. Both direct military-to-military and externally funded initiatives are included. With President Bush and the US Congress having expanded DHAPP globally, there is current outreach being established to include Russia, Ukraine, India, China, Vietnam and the Caribbean region.

As of June 2003, The President of the United States has approved $15 billion over five-year period assisting African nations in their fight against HIV/AIDS. This new resource, combined with DHAPP’s will continue efforts both in sub-Saharan Africa and global outreach.

The DHAPP objectives have been to assist selected militaries in establishing HIV/AIDS-specific programs and training for military personnel. Implementation, adaptation, maintenance and evaluation of these HIV/AIDS prevention programs are all part of the assistance offered. DHAPP has assisted with the development of military culture interventions to affect high-risk HIV/AIDS attitudes and behaviors and integrated with other US government programs. Facing the challenge to overcome the insulation of militaries from civilian public health programs, early strategies included conducting frequent in country visits with government and military leaders of the African nations with the encouragement of communication between the civilian and military health and prevention sectors. Creation of international infrastructure involved establishing liaisons with UNAIDS, CDC, USAIDS, US Embassies and the Unified Combatant Commanders in their theaters of operation. Establishment of HIV prevalence data through researching international reports, funding surveillance efforts, and consulting with ministers of health was crucial. Coordination among numerous agencies and organizations has been paramount in stretching limited funding for the size of the task at hand.

US Embassy in-country teams coordinated the installation of internet access establishing communications lines over vast regions where none existed before. Utilizing local translators and facilitating focus groups has been relational building. Military HIV prevention programs in 27 countries have been established or strengthened and remain active in their fight against the endemic. There has been an establishment of HIV/AIDS policies in countries with no prior programs. Continued military access to US government and in-country HIV/AIDS programs has been coordinated through DHAPP. Provision of staff in-country for HIV/AIDS programs has allowed further program development for some. Provision of materials and consultation to develop country-specific behavioral interventions has also involved producing HIV training, educational materials, films, videos in local languages and funding live theatre productions. With these efforts hundreds of thousands of troops across sub-Saharan Africa have been trained in HIV/AIDS prevention.