News 2015
FDA Approves Diagnostic Test to Differentiate Between Types of HIV Infection
Bio-Rad BioPlex 2200 HIV Ag-Ab assay. Use: bpx hiv-ag-ab pdp
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the Bio-Rad BioPlex 2200 HIV Ag-Ab assay, the first FDA-approved diagnostic that differentiates between HIV-1 antibodies, HIV-2 antibodies, and HIV-1 p24 antigen in human serum or plasma specimens.
Two major types of HIV have been identified: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for most HIV infections throughout the world. HIV-2 is found primarily in West Africa; however, cases of HIV-2 infection have been identified in the United States. HIV-1 and HIV-2 are similar, but distinct viruses.
Welcome Darriane Martin!
Darriane Martin-Hall
The Black AIDS Institute is pleased to announce the hiring of Darriane Martin-Hall.
In her role as mobilization manager, Darriane will not only direct the Black Treatment Advocate Network (BTAN) nationally, she will run all of the Institute's field operations, including our health department work, involvement in the Greater Than AIDS campaign, technical assistance and mobilization efforts.
Christopher K. Wilson-Smith: Leading BTAN Los Angeles' Charge
Christopher Wilson-Smith
Speaking up for others has always come naturally to HIV/AIDS activist Christopher K. Wilson-Smith. As the Black AIDS Institute's new prevention and care manager and head of the Black Treatment Advocates Network Los Angeles (BTAN L.A.) initiative, Wilson-Smith will be giving voice to the needs of Black Angelenos and ensuring that those most at risk for HIV/AIDS are given the life-changing information they need.
2020 Vision: Our Updated National HIV/AIDS Strategy
President Barack Obama addresses the nation on the release of the revised and updated "National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States: Updated to 2020."
On Thursday, the Obama Administration released the National HIV/AIDS Strategy: Updated to 2020 ("Updated Strategy"). Since we released the nation's first comprehensive HIV/AIDS strategy in 2010, we've made tremendous progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS. More people living with HIV know their status and are linked to care. We have better medications to treat the disease and better tools to prevent its transmission, like pre-exposure prophylaxis ("PrEP") —a daily pill that can reduce a person's risk of acquiring HIV by more than 90 percent when taken consistently.
Read more: 2020 Vision: Our Updated National HIV/AIDS Strategy
In This Issue
We are excited to announce that the Black AIDS Institute is among the 90 community-based organizations—including 67 organizations serving Black Americans—awarded a portion of the $216 million the CDC will disburse for them to implement high-impact prevention over the next five years. Stay tuned over the coming weeks to learn about the Institute's forthcoming involvement in this area.