By supporting AHF, you can help bridge healthcare gaps throughout the Americas and beyond, increasing access to diagnostic and therapeutic tools that can significantly improve quality of life and patient outcomes in regions pervaded by inequities.
AHF’S GLOBAL PRESENCE
AHF has a strong global presence, actively engaging in projects and events across the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East. Earlier in May, we furthered solidified our global presence by speaking and presenting at events of global reach.
The World Orphan Drug Congress (WODC) USA 2024
WODC USA 2024 was held on April 23–25, 2024 in Boston, MA. AHF was represented by Felicitas Colombo, Director of Public Affairs at AHF, and Dick Salvatierra, President at AHF. Felicitas moderated the policy panel entitled “360 view: How do we improve access while we continue to promote innovation,” and Dick Salvatierra participated as a panelist, alongside Durhane Wong-Rieger, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorder (CORD) and Chair of the Rare Disease International (RDI) and President of Asia Pacific Alliance of Rare Disease Organizations and Alexander Natz, Secretary General of the European Confederation of Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurs (EUCOPE). You can access key highlights from the event here.
ISPOR 2024
ISPOR 2024 was held in Atlanta, GA, USA, from May 5–8. Our Medical Director and Vice President, Dr. Mariana Rico, and the AHF President, Dick Salvatierra, were both present. Dr. Rico presented two posters resulting from two initiatives conducted by AHF in the field of rare diseases.
The first initiative consisted of three cross-sectional surveys with rare disease healthcare professionals, patients living with rare diseases, PAO leaders, and policymakers/regulators/payers to better understand the main barriers to access to rare disease medicines in Brazil. The first poster, entitled “The patient access landscape for rare disease medicines in Brazil: a multi-stakeholder perspective,” can be accessed here.
The second initiative involved a comprehensive landscape analysis of rare disease care in Latin America from a multi-stakeholder perspective, with a focus on Pompe and Fabry diseases. Through this project, AHF conducted a multi-country task force with a total of 35 key opinion leaders from Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, and Peru. The experts dived into access pathways, challenges, and opportunities for rare disease treatments at the national and regional levels. The poster summarizing the key results from this project, entitled “Multi-Stakeholder Approach to Rare Disease Care in Latin America,” can be accessed here.
UPCOMING CONSENSUS CONFERENCE:
Strategies to Improve Public Health Management and Access to Innovative Therapies in Brazil through the Lens of Breast Cancer
Through this consensus conference, scheduled to be held in July, AHF aims to gather valuable insight into critical policy enablers for enhancing patient outcomes under the public health system in Brazil, with a focus on early-stage breast cancer (BC). Selected key opinion leaders will delve into the importance of early detection and prompt, appropriate treatment to prevent disease progression or recurrence; identify current gaps and opportunities for improved care, leverage existing opportunities to identify region-specific strategies for overcoming the challenges surrounding the early detection and treatment of early-stage BC in Brazil.
ONGOING PROGRAMS YOU CAN SUPPORT:
Vaccine Beats
A global newsletter with an in-depth 360 perspective, integrating current information with vaccine expert commentaries and recommendations on a monthly basis, and consolidating a network of stakeholders). The objectives are to inform, educate, help build bridges, and create a global network of stakeholders. The Chief Editors of Vaccines Beat will be Javier Casellas, M.D., Ph.D and Enrique Chacon-Cruz, M.D, Msc.
MTV Documentary: Show Reality on Breast Cancer
A 30-minute dynamic documentary divided into different segments where the narratives of individuals with breast cancer area shared, capturing glimpses into their lives. In one segment, an MTV talent would go into Dr. Vagón’s Tren de la Salud, an initiative led by the Mexico Foundation, where free high-quality medical services are provided, including early breast cancer detection. In another segment, three personalities or activists from different generations and lifestyles who have lived or are living with breast cancer will gather and have a conversation. A third segment will have a high-impact content creator interview people on the streets about their knowledge on the disease, attracting attention and raising awareness about the subject.
Second Latin American Congress on Rare Diseases
Led by AHF and co-hosted by ERCAL, FECOER, and Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, this event will take a solution-focused approach to bridging gaps in rare disease care in Latin America. Shifting the focus from identifying challenges, which have already been established, to discussing strategies and solutions, the event will be held on October 16th and 17th, 2024, in Bogotá, Colombia.
HOW TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION:
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation, chartered in Washington D.C., AHF is eligible to receive support in various ways:
- Unrestricted Grants
- Unrestricted Sponsorships
- Donor Advised Funds:
- Recommend a DAF grant through your financial institution or foundation
- Contact your fund manager and recommend supporting Americas Health Foundation
- Checks
- Wire or Stock Transfers
- Non-cash assets
If you are interested in supporting AHF, please email our Director of Marketing Communications, Thais Vidal, at tvidal@the-ahf.org
