Career
Before the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome crisis, Hannan was pursuing a career in Europe as an opera singer, but returned to New York City when the crisis hit. In 1986, he founded the Public Works Administration Health Group with Joseph Sonnabend and Michael Callen. This nonprofit organization was the first and largest formally recognised buyers" club, which aimed to widen access to promising Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome therapies not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The Public Works Administration Health Group went on to become an important source of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome treatment education and advocacy.
In 2000, DAAIR, Direct Aids Alternative Information Resources, merged with the Public Works Administration Health Group, but the organisations have since been superseded by the New York Buyers" Club. Hannan also helped to establish the nonprofit Community Research Initiative (Cryptography Research Inc, later renamed CRIA, then ACRIA) in New York in 1987, becoming the organization"s administrative director