Women living with HIV in Europe represent a diverse patient population who may face many challenges throughout their lives, often different from their male counterparts. However, data and resources to support the care of this population have been lacking in recent years.

To address this, two pan-European multidisciplinary committees were convened to create SHE, a medical education and peer support programme, designed to improve the care of women living with HIV in Europe by educating physicians and empowering patients.

SHE is dedicated to exploring the situation of women living with HIV in Europe, identifying areas where additional clinical knowledge is needed, addressing these challenges and developing best practice.

The community aspect supports women living with HIV, improving the quality of their lives, including getting the most out of their healthcare services and engaging in effective dialogue with healthcare professionals, using a peer support model.

This multifaceted programme currently extends across 16 European countries, via a multidisciplinary SHE ‘unit’ model and includes expert-led and peer-to-peer engagement, educational resources, congress activities, publications and an online community.

We believe SHE is an excellent candidate for the Lions Health Awards in the Pharma Communications to Healthcare Professionals, education and services, integrated media category.

• SHE was set up in 2010, the Scientific Committee and Community Faculty were convened, 5 key topics selected, 25 data gaps identified and validated by 80 physicians across 12 EU countries

• Best-practice educational resources were developed and physicians trained accordingly. This toolkit contains latest clinical data. Another toolkit was designed for use by peer support workers for women living with HIV, containing critical, practical information such as diagnosis and human rights

• In 2012 the programme was launched across Europe using a SHE ‘unit’ core model (multidisciplinary teams, based in specific clinics, working to promote best practice). National SHE faculty teams were recruited to establish SHE units and coordinate activities in their countries

• Publication of a SHE supplement, promotion of the SHE website, twice-yearly data reviews, newsletters and the presence of a SHE booth at national and European congresses helped to maintain awareness of the programme and expand the network

More than 60 SHE units are up and running in 11 European countries, organised according to country needs, many working with HIV organisations. An estimated 300 HCPs and 600 women living with HIV are in regular contact with the SHE network. In 2013 alone, SHE units held >14 scientific meetings, >19 peer training meeting and further events at 11 national congresses. SHE booth presence and posters at European/international congresses have raised awareness of the programme, with over 1,500 visitors and 450 requests for information.

SHE has a strong online presence; with the shetoshe.org website attracting over 90,000 visitors from more than 130 countries and over 1,300 peer support toolkit downloads.

The first comprehensive review of the challenges faced by these women was published by the SHE faculty in Antiviral Therapy in 2013.

The increased dialogue and discussion surrounding women with HIV has ultimately elevated the importance of this population.