Community Advisory Board (CAB)
What is the CAB?
The mission of CABs of the AIDS Clinical
Trials Group (ACTG) is to provide community input
into the operations of the AIDS Clinical Trials Units
(ACTUs). CABs provide an opportunity for affected
communities, especially clinical trials participants,
to understand the clinical research process and allow
the community to voice concerns regarding specific
clinical studies, their development, implementation,
and outcome. CABs also provide technical assistance
concerning issues related to the accrual and retention
of trial participants. CABs serve the critical funtion
of providing clinical trial participants with necessary
advocacy in the event of grievences. Effective CABs
provide an opportunity for researchers and community
to forge a vialble partnership that will lead to improved
knowledge of HIV disease.
Who may serve on the
Penn CAB?
ANYONE in the Philadelphia area concerned
with the AIDS clincal trials at the University of
Pennsylvania. The Penn CAB strives to represent both
the diversity of the communities affected by AIDS,
as well as the various AIDS treatment and support
services that have responded to the crisis. For example,
the current Penn CAB is comprised of both HIV-positive
and negative individuls, men and women, people of
color, sexual minorities, trial participants, trial
researchers (including principal invetigators, study
coordinators and nurses), social workers, community
activists, and AIDS service providers.
What are the qualifications
for CAB membership?
There are no qualifications precluding
membership to the CAB, other than a willingness to
carefully critique ongoing Penn AIDS trials, and to
provide feedback on plans for future AIDS research.
The Penn CAB meets every two months for two hours
at a time. New CAB members should attempt to be present
at as many meetings as possible.
When
is the next meeting? Call or Email Aleshia
Thomas for information.
Call with questions:
- phone: (215) 349-8092
- fax: (215) 349-8011
