Health Equity Matters and AIDS Councils’ Theory of Change
This Theory of Change (or Program Logic) draws on academic research and practitioner experience to show how Health Equity Matters and Australia’s State and Territory AIDS Councils’ distinct approach to health promotion leads to efficient and effective programs, making an important contribution to Australia’s HIV response. This diagram highlights the functions of engagement, alignment and adaptation, and shows how Health Equity Matters and AIDS Councils fulfil these functions, increasing their influence.
ENGAGEMENT
- Health Equity Matters and AIDS Councils:
- are embedded in their communities
- are accountable to their communities
- recruit staff and volunteers from their communities
- foster safe spaces
- connect their communities with research and policy updates
- facilitate community participation and leadership
ADAPTATION
- Health Equity Matters and AIDS Councils:
- combine insights from the community, research and policy environments
- learn from and support community adaptation to change
- evaluate their programs and draw on evidence for program design
- remain committed to the goal of preventing HIV transmission
- respond rapidly to changing needs of communities
ALIGNMENT
- Health Equity Matters and AIDS Councils:
- build strong relationships with relevant organisations, institutions and businesses
- demonstrate the value of their deep knowledge of HIV- affected communities and their technical expertise
- provide quality policy advice based on community insights
- act as an intermediary between communities and governments, academic institutions and health services
ENGAGEMENT
- Health Equity Matters and AIDS Councils:
- are embedded in their communities
- are accountable to their communities
- recruit staff and volunteers from their communities
- foster safe spaces
- connect their communities with research and policy updates
- facilitate community participation and leadership
ADAPTATION
- Health Equity Matters and AIDS Councils:
- combine insights from the community, research and policy environments
- learn from and support community adaptation to change
- evaluate their programs and draw on evidence for program design
- remain committed to the goal of preventing HIV transmission
- respond rapidly to changing needs of communities
ALIGNMENT
- Health Equity Matters and AIDS Councils:
- build strong relationships with relevant organisations, institutions and businesses
- demonstrate the value of their deep knowledge of HIV- affected communities and their technical expertise
- provide quality policy advice based on community insights
- act as an intermediary between communities and governments, academic institutions and health services
HEALTH EQUITY MATTERS AND AIDS COUNCILS’ PLATFORM OF INFLUENCE
INCREASED REACH
INCREASED EFFECTIVENESS
INCREASED EFFICIENCY
STRONGER PARTNERSHIPS
HEALTH EQUITY MATTERS AND AIDS COUNCILS’ HEALTH PROMOTION
Environmental enablers and barriers to change
HIV transmissions are reduced
Communities are safe, inclusive and free from stigma and discrimination
People living with HIV have improved health and wellbeing
Download the complete ‘Health Equity Matters and AIDS Councils’ Theory of Change: Demonstrating Our Contribution to Australia’s HIV Response’
Case studies
These case studies demonstrate the theory of change in practice. The case studies are from specific programs or projects at AFAO and each AIDS Councils.
- AFAO: OUTspoken
- ACON: A[TEST]
- AIDS Action Council of the ACT: Responding rapidly to threats to community safety
- Northern Territory AIDS & Hepatitis Council (NTAHC): Silver Rainbow
- Queensland AIDS Council (QuAC): #ComePrepd
- Tasmanian Council on AIDS, Hepatitis, and Related Diseases: Connecting academic research and lived experience
- Victorian AIDS Council: MIPA Report and Action Plan
- Western Australian AIDS Council: Safe Schools Coalition
Download the complete ‘Health Equity Matters and AIDS Councils’ Theory of Change in Action’
Demonstrating the value of community control in Australia’s HIV response
Community controlled HIV organisations in Australia have unique features supporting their agile, targeted and highly effective response to Australia’s HIV epidemic, and other health or social issues within their communities. In 2015, Health Equity Matters and the AIDS Councils across Australia commissioned a report to assess the impact of the community controlled response to HIV as part of the overall Australian response to HIV. The report’s aim was to have an objective and evidence based assessment of the strength and continuing salience of the community response to HIV. The document was prepared for government and similar stakeholders who wish to understand the value of Australia’s community controlled response to HIV.