Felicity Young, Principal Director of Health Equity Matters’ International Program, has been appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours List.
The award is one of the highest civilian honours in Australia, and recognises distinguished service of a high degree to Australia or to humanity at large.
Health Equity Matters CEO, Dash Heath-Paynter said the award was richly deserved.
“Under Felicity’s guidance, Health Equity Matters’ International Program has gone from strength to strength. Her decades of experience in global health and her unwavering commitment to improving access to HIV treatment, prevention and care has made a difference to countless lives and communities worldwide.
“This award is a well-deserved testament to Felicity’s immense impact over more than three decades as a global health leader and champion of HIV and AIDS prevention.”
Felicity Young said: “I am incredibly honoured and humbled to be appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia.
“For more than 30 years, contributing to the global effort to end HIV transmission and AIDS-related deaths, and working to improve sexual and reproductive health in low- and middle-income countries has been a core part of my life and career. It’s a profound honour to have these efforts acknowledged through this prestigious award.
“As much as this award recognises anything I have contributed, it pays tribute to the hard work of my colleagues and team members in Health Equity Matters’ International Program, as well as the countless advocates, scientists, healthcare workers, activists and those with lived experience with the virus who play a crucial role in the global effort to end HIV.”
Felicity Young has held numerous positions within Health Equity Matters (formerly Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations) over a number of years. She served as executive director from 1991 to 1995, after which she was appointed chair of its international advisory committee.
In 2020 she was appointed President of AFAO, but her expertise and experience in constructing and running health programs in low- and middle-income countries saw her transition to leading the International Program shortly afterwards.
Felicity has also worked in Indonesia, South Africa, Thailand, Cambodia and Washington, DC in senior advocacy, policy and leadership positions for the University of Witwatersrand, Futures Group International and RTI International.
