Tian Johnson

Dec 10, 2024 | mg.co.za | Tian Johnson

Twenty-three years ago, 11-year-old Nkosi Johnson stepped onto the stage at the International Aids Conference in Durban, addressing an audience of 60 million. His words exposed the pain and stigma of the pandemic while showing extraordinary courage and belief in a better future. Today, five baby boys from KwaZulu-Natal have continued Nkosi’s message of hope for an end to HIV.

Nov 7, 2024 | dailymaverick.co.za | Tian Johnson |Fatima Hassan |Asia Russell |Sangeeta Shashikant

MEDICINE INEQUITIES OP-ED We need nothing less than disruptive action to ensure everyone who wants access to affordable lenacapavir can get it. One injection of lenacapavir every six months stopped 100% of new HIV infections among straight women and girls and cut the infection risk of gender diverse people older than 16 by 96%. This is according to data presented at the 5th HIV Research for Prevention Conference (HIVR4P) in Peru this month. This HIV prevention jab is a game-changer.

Oct 4, 2024 | mg.co.za | Tian Johnson

This week, we heard that six generic drug companies have signed voluntary licensing deals to make the HIV prevention injection lenacapavir, royalty free, for 120 low-income countries where the burden is high. For this we must commend the drug’s originator Gilead Sciences. The injection, taken just twice a year, eradicated HIV infection risk for the straight women who were part of the trial. But the company’s supposed generosity belies a betrayal.

Jun 27, 2024 | mg.co.za | Tian Johnson |Des Erasmus

There’s an African proverb that goes, “when two elephants fight, it’s the grass that gets trampled”, which means the weak suffer most in conflicts between the powerful. It’s slightly overused, perhaps because it applies so often. The latest trampling comes courtesy of the United States military, according to a Reuters investigation.

Apr 22, 2024 | health-e.org.za | Tian Johnson |Precious Mashiane |Palesa Matlala |Ina Skosana

By Tian Johnson, founder and strategist of the health advocacy non-profit African Alliance. There’s a new “It Girl” in the world of public health, and her name is “self-care”. This type of self-care is not about scented candles or massages.