Grant: Planning and Dissemination Grant - Institute Community Support

The proposed activity will support the 28th IWHOD, to be held in Thessaloniki, Greece, 26-28 March, 2026. The objective of this workshop is to bring together junior and senior researchers from high and low/middle income settings working on cohorts of patients with/at risk for HIV, viral hepatitis and related sexually transmitted and blood borne infections (STBBIs) to present their latest findings and work in progress and allow open discussions on common issues of cohort methodology, techniques and statistics. This conference aims to facilitate and translate scientific discussion of methods, results, and clinical and epidemiological implications globally. IWHOD contributes to the improvement of health and healthcare systems as it leads to the production and dissemination of outstanding collaborative research at national and global levels. Between 2013-2019, more than 200 manuscripts (>54% of abstracts presented and shared at this premier meeting) were subsequently published in peer-reviewed journals. The program includes abstracts selected by an international Scientific Committee thematically grouped into six 90-minute sessions which allow time for discussion and debate. In addition, IWHOD will feature plenary presentations, debates and panel discussions by invited experts. Sessions are dedicated to patient management, co-infections/comorbidities, maternal/child infections. prevention and methodology. Session chairs are gender balanced, include community members, young investigators and diverse participants from under-represented research settings. The ultimate goal of the meeting is to foster evidence-based research in HIV, hepatitis and STBBIs to address significant gaps in our current understanding and foster collaborative initiatives. By bringing together top researchers and emerging young talent, we help build research capacity locally and globally, with the ultimate aim of preventing new infections and improving the lives of persons living with HIV/STBBIs.