In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Mary Fisher joins host Dr Michael Saag to discuss Communicating the Importance of Science and Research to the Public. Ms Fisher is an artist, author, and activist, who has spent a lifetime giving voice to the voiceless. Her historic speech at the 1992 Republican Convention, A Whisper of AIDS, has been named one of “forty famous speeches that have had long-term effect on society.” In this episode, Ms Fisher discusses her history of activism including her work in Africa before and after the arrival of PEPFAR and the concern for the many communities she worked with given the termination of USAID. Ms Fisher also discusses her new book Uneasy Silence: An activist seeks justice and courage over a lifetime of change where she and Dr Saag stress the importance of speaking out for scientific research given the impact it has on patient care and saving lives. 

0:00 – Introduction

1:17 – History of Ms Fisher’s activism 

4:11 – Impact of Ms Fisher’s work in Africa and discussion of the quality of life before and after PEPFAR 

10:05 – The impact of the elimination of USAID on people with HIV, nutrition, and other diseases 

14:36 – Discussion of Ms Fisher’s book Uneasy Silence: An activist seeks justice and courage over a lifetime of change

20:12 – Why scientific research is important and the impact of cuts to the research budget at NIAID

28:55 – The need to speak out for science, the practice of medicine, and care for those in need of care

Related Resources:

• Uneasy Silence: An activist seeks justice and courage over a lifetime of change Amazon  
• A Whisper of AIDS YouTube 
• Project Angel Food
• Episode 43 YouTube | Apple Podcasts with Dr Izukanji Sikazwe
• Voices in HIV Research and Global Health, from the Scientists, the Labs, and the Community YouTube 

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Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email [email protected] to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

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