In the global campaign to respond effectively to the spread of HIV/AIDS, a new tool has emerged which aims to greatly improve decision-making
on HIV/AIDS-related policies and programmes:
a suite of cutting-edge data analysis tools collectively known as AIDSinfo.
In November 2010, UNAIDS - the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS - launched its AIDSinfo application to house the latest global multi-agency data on AIDS. AIDSinfo consists of three ground-breaking products that target different audiences: Country Fact Sheets for senior managers who require snapshot information, Regional Analysis for data visualization and exploration, and the full AIDSinfo database for in-depth analysis.
All three products are powered by DevInfo database technology.
With this approach, UNAIDS is aggressively promoting the use of data for decision making
at the global, regional, national and even
sub-national levels. By training its staff and country counterparts in the use of the AIDSinfo suite of tools, UNAIDS is driving the data use agenda to a new level.
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AIDSinfo tool suite
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AIDSinfo Country Fact Sheets |
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With UNAIDS at the global forefront of spurring national AIDS data collection and management, the availability of detailed HIV/AIDS-related data is at an all-time high. In 2010 for example, a record 182 out of 192 UN member states reported on their national response to the HIV epidemic. But without efficient data management and visualization tools, the large mounds of data can easily remain untapped and unavailable for decision makers – which is precisely why UNAIDS chose to launch its data through the new dynamic AIDSinfo platform.
“UNAIDS selected this innovative platform because it allows flexible views of the data and flexible packaging of information on factsheets
in a user-friendly way for comparison of investments, programme coverage, and other results,” explains Taavi Erkkola, Senior Adviser, Response Monitoring and Analysis Unit, UNAIDS. “This has been greatly appreciated by different constituents who wish to see and be able to promote the results of effective interventions.”
Continues Erkkola, “In line with the newly
adopted UNAIDS global strategy, AIDSinfo serves the purpose of providing evidence on AIDS responses at global, regional and country levels, as well as
a link with the Millennium Development Goals and the wider international development agenda.”
Between January and May 2011, UNAIDS has been launching a series of global webinars that introduce the use of AIDSinfo to different constituents. As one participant described the lessons learned from the training, “I can now provide the evidence for our national agenda-setting myself, without having to hire several consultants to dig it up.”
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AIDSinfo Regional Analysis |
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AIDSinfo database |
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While UNAIDS provides online trainings on the use of AIDSinfo upon request, interested users across the globe can also take advantage of the free
e-learning courses available on the AIDSinfo website.
With AIDSinfo in the hands of key decision makers across the globe, those worst affected by the ravages of HIV/AIDS can look forward to better targeted interventions in the days ahead.
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| Data making a difference. |
For further information, please contact Taavi Erkkola, Senior Adviser, Response Monitoring and Analysis Unit, UN AIDS, at ErkkolaT@unaids.org.
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