News 2016
April 18: Inaugural National Transgender HIV Testing Day (NTHTD)
JoAnne Keatley, MSW, Director, UCSF Center of Excellence for Transgender Health
Transgender communities in the United States are among the groups at highest risk for HIV infection. Many of us in the transgender (trans) community have been dismayed by the continued impact of HIV and AIDS on our trans sisters and brothers. We have worked hard to address the epidemic from within—with the limited resources we've been able to generate—to try to mitigate the loss of lives. HIV claims far too many of us, along with severe poverty, violence, joblessness, and stigma. It can often be overwhelming. Still, we try to create approaches where we can make a difference. In response, CDC's Capacity Building Assistance Provider Network partner, the Center of Excellence (COE) for Transgender Health at the University of California, San Francisco, launched the inaugural National Transgender HIV Testing Day (NTHTD) on April 18, 2016. We believe this is one approach that will lead to real difference.
Read more: April 18: Inaugural National Transgender HIV Testing Day (NTHTD)
Using our National HIV/AIDS Strategy to Prevent HIV among Our Nation's Youth
Amy Lansky, Ph.D., MPH, Acting Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, The White House
Summary: Ahead of National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, Dr. Lansky recognizes the HIV disparities facing youth and actions to improve them.
Read more: Using our National HIV/AIDS Strategy to Prevent HIV among Our Nation’s Youth
Understanding the Magnitude of the Viral Hepatitis Epidemics in the United States
Richard Wolitski, Ph.D., Acting Director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
In March I had the honor of meeting with an inspirational group of advocates, leaders and researchers who had come to Washington to educate lawmakers about viral hepatitis and its impact on our nation. Their braveness and authenticity was moving. They told their personal stories about living with viral hepatitis, the frustrating experiences with healthcare providers, the challenges and costs of getting appropriate treatment, the stresses of waiting to receive a life-saving liver, the loss of loved ones, and other deeply personal issues.
Read more: Understanding the Magnitude of the Viral Hepatitis Epidemics in the United States
In This Issue
Black elected officials are stepping up their game in response to the changing HIV landscape. Recently in Los Angeles, local politicians and a wide variety of community stakeholders met for "Black Lives Matter: What's PrEP Got to Do with It," a day-long summit to raise awareness and understanding of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in Black communities. We report.
Black Elected Officials in Calif. Respond to Changing HIV/AIDS Environment in Black Communities
Zena Yusuf and Victor Hill at the Los Angeles Black PrEP Summit
On March 31, 2016, the Los Angeles chapter of the Black Treatment Advocates Network, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, FAME Corporations, Gilead Sciences, Car Pros Kia of Carson, the Black AIDS Institute and local AIDS service organizations hosted "Black Lives Matter: What's PrEP Got to Do With It," a daylong summit held at FAME Corporations to raise awareness and understanding of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in Black communities in Los Angeles County.