Need for a Data Hub

Evidence-driven policy and programme responses are made more effective with timely, accessible and meaningful data. Good quality and up-to-date data are critical for national and sub-national planning and for monitoring progress, especially given the nature of the AIDS epidemic in Asia-Pacific, largely concentrated among sub-populations. HIV transmission pattern calls for better geographic and sub-population targeting, and improved data collection disaggregated by age and sex, along with continuous, vigilant monitoring.

Currently most data sets are maintained at the global level, whereas regional and country level summaries are not readily accessible. As a repository of HIV-related data of 24 countries and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China in Asia-Pacific, the Evidence to Action Data Hub provides on-line access to HIV and AIDS data for advocacy, programme planning and monitoring. Where possible, sub-national data are made available. The Hub also acts as a regional platform to strengthen national, regional and global dialogues on data analyses and data quality, as well as promote a mechanism for regular data updating and monitoring.

Objectives

The overall goal of the project is to support national authorities and their partners in Asia and the Pacific with the use of comprehensive data to plan and deliver effective, scaled-up HIV responses. By improving access to and utilization of strategic information, the project aims to strengthen the practice of data use to enhance policy and programmatic responses to those at risk, those infected and affected by the AIDS epidemic. The Data Hub project aims to generate an accessible, easy to use database, containing data on HIV vulnerability, risk behaviours, infection and disease, the impact of the epidemic and responses to it, for use by governments, the public, researchers, the UN system and donors.

The Data Hub aims to promote and enhance:

• the timely collation, analysis, utilization and sharing of HIV data at various levels (country, regional and global), as a means of supporting evidence-based action in policy, advocacy, strategic planning and programming for universal access to HIV prevention and AIDS treatment and care.
  
  
• the collation of data of all major indicators on HIV risk, vulnerability, prevalence, infection estimates, socio-economic impact and national responses in 24 countries and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China of the Asia-Pacific region.
  
  
• the quality and analysis of HIV data, including data disaggregated by age and sex, and sub-national data, in order to guide coordinated local responses to HIV and AIDS.
  
  
• the provision of a repository of updated surveillance data, surveys and reports from countries in order to disseminate knowledge of the current HIV & AIDS situation, trends, projections, resource investment, and policy and programmatic responses. Data will be updated as soon as they are available.
  
  
• the promotion of the timely collection, analysis and utilization of country-level data and strategic information for evidence-informed responses.
  
  
• the collaboration with countries to monitor the AIDS epidemic, identify gaps in data resources, undertake analyses and generate further knowledge of new risks and trends where responses are needed, through a twice-yearly epidemic and response alert.
  
  
• the facilitation of a knowledge network, or e-forum, among epidemiologists in the Asia-Pacific region on data quality, analysis and utilization for effective HIV prevention, treatment and care.