About the Initiative
Businesses have a role to play in the response to the HIV pandemic that is not only in the best interests of society but also their own business success and risk management. Investors, boards, NGOs, labor unions, and governments are increasingly pressing companies to take action and to be more transparent about their policies, procedures and performance results.

In 2008, AAI initiated the development of a tool that recognizes the role that companies play in responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. After almost two years of extensive dialogue with business stakeholders, NGO representatives and academic experts, AAI has developed a ranking tool that is methodologically rigorous and relevant for key stakeholders. AAI has commissioned Gavin George from the Health and Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division (HEARD), University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to lead the methodological development of the Business Ranking.

In 2010, we are inviting additional experts to review and finalize the ranking tool.

What is the AIDS Accountability Business Ranking?
The Business Ranking is developed based on extensive review of existing standards and Best Practice literature. The tool will be designed to measure a company’s accountability to its employees, their families and the wider community in which it operates.

As the literature on best practice suggests, the evaluation components will be divided into four Key Performance Areas (KPAs);
1.    Governance
2.    Prevention
3.    Treatment and Care
4.    Community Outreach

Different businesses have varying responsibilities and roles. Pharmaceuticals offering anti-retro viral drugs deal with differrent accountability issues than companies operating in hard hit areas (>1% infection rate) or companies with operational models that may or may not contribute to increased risk of widespread infection. The ranking mechanism will be designed to take this into account.
Although the ranking is global in scope, we may also decide to develop different versions of the ranking, by epidemic type or sector.

Get involved
- Be informed of developments
- Join expert dialogues during the development phase
- Fund, endorse or support the development of the ranking
- Pilot-test the ranking

Please contact Johanna Löfgren at:johanna@aidsaccountability.org.