In This Issue
I am excited to announce that today the Black AIDS Institute is releasing its 17th State of AIDS Report: "Black Lives Matter—What's PrEP Got to Do With It?"
The report focuses on what Black communities need to know about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and other new biomedical HIV prevention tools. Read on to learn more about the contents of this vital new report and where you can download it.
I was diagnosed with GRID (gay-related immune deficiency) when I was just 28 years old and was once so ill that doctors gave me less than 24 hours to live. So I never imagined I'd live to see my 60th birthday; yet somehow here I am! To commemorate the occasion, on Saturday, April 23, I am having a 60th birthday party to benefit the Black AIDS Institute. Nothing would make me happier than to have you join us, but whether or not you are able to attend, I ask that you make a charitable donation to the Black AIDS Institute. Go here to learn more about the party and/or make a donation to help end HIV/AIDS in Black communities. These are extremely difficult times and the Institute desperately needs your help. No donation is too small or too big.
As we know, transgender communities—and especially Black trans women—are among the populations at greatest risk for HIV infection in the United States. So it's important that this week our nation marked its first National Transgender HIV Testing Day (NTHTD), a day when we recognize the importance of HIV testing and increase awareness of HIV prevention and treatment among transgender people.
Earlier this month, the nation observed National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Dr. Amy Lansky, Ph.D., MPH, acting director of the White House's Office of National AIDS Policy brings us up to speed on the National HIV/AIDS Strategy activities in place to address HIV among youth.
Finally, we consider the number of Americans who are living with viral hepatitis. You might be surprised to learn that more people have viral hepatitis than live in about half of U.S. states. this is certainly an epidemic we must pay attention to.
Yours in the struggle,
Phill