This episode was made in partnership with the International AIDS Society (IAS), Young Leaders Programme.
----
Host Ben Plumley wraps up the A Shot in the Arm Podcast from AIDS 2026 in Rio de Janeiro with Zarawu Adams, a medical scientist from Salama Clinic in Accra, Ghana, reflecting on an exhausting but valuable week balancing conference sessions with the IAS’ Young Leaders Programme. Adams highlights research linking antiretroviral treatment to metabolic crises such as type 2 diabetes, including work focused on pregnant women, and confirms through conversations with scientific leaders that this issue is still under-emphasized. She describes the Young Leaders program as a diverse international advocacy network across HIV and other infectious diseases that builds connections, fills gaps, and broadens engagement beyond science to policy, innovation, and activism. Adams emphasizes resilience, the funding crisis, and the urgent need to tackle stigma and discrimination – particularly as a driver of suicide, while noting increased visibility for LGBT communities within the IAS space.
00:00 Welcome to Rio
00:53 Metabolic Risks Spotlight
03:15 Young Leaders Program
04:53 Networking and Advice
07:26 Stigma and Discrimination
08:32 Activism and Funding Crisis
10:36 Resilience and New Ideas
14:27 Priority on Stigma
15:41 LGBTQ and Closing Reflections
17:54 Final Thanks and Sign Off
Guests:
Zarawu Adams
Medical Scientist, Salama Clinic, Accra, Ghana
AIDS 2026
https://www.iasociety.org/conferences/aids2026
Check Out Ben’s Substack:
https://substack.com/@benplumley1
Join the Conversation!
How do you see the future of global health unfolding? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Subscribe & Stay Updated:
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. Watch on YouTube & subscribe for more in-depth global health.
#hivaids #HIV #AIDS #globalhealth #AIDS2026 #IAS
