What the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Means for Us

Today, July 13, 2010, could be a turning point in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States.

In a few short hours, I will be at the White House watching as President Obama and other federal officials unveil the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS). This landmark document makes recommendations that, if followed, will reduce the number of new HIV infections in the U.S. while greatly increasing the quality of care for individuals who are living with HIV/AIDS.

As pleased as I am that this day has finally arrived―after three years of tireless advocacy―I know full well that this is just the beginning; with NHAS, we now have a plan of action to achieve better results in the fight against the epidemic.  It demands that we act forcefully and with resolve!  We certainly have a start as the President himself is standing behind the Strategy’s cogent vision that we should all strive toward:

“The United States will become a place where new HIV infections are rare, and when they do occur every person regardless of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or social/economic status will have unfettered access to high-quality, life-extending care, free from stigma or discrimination.”

The broad community support for this bold new plan and the important role that the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) played in advocating for its development make this a proud moment for us, and yet we know that the work has only just begun.

Back in 2007, I was part of a small group of AIDS advocates that came together around one big idea: the United States should have a singular plan of action to make progress against the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic. Along with colleagues from the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, AIDS Action Council, Black AIDS Institute, Balm in Gilead, Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP), Gay Men’s Health Crisis and San Francisco AIDS Foundation, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) formed the Coalition for a National AIDS Strategy, a group that grew to include thousands of individuals and organizations who joined the call for a national strategy.

AFC also co-founded the HIV Prevention Justice Alliance to organize advocates around the Strategy and ensure the views and expertise of AIDS community members help shape the plan being developed. In 2008, the Coalition polled primary presidential candidates about their views on the idea of the government drafting and implementing a single, comprehensive and outcomes-oriented plan against the U.S. HIV/AIDS epidemic.  Our efforts secured the support from a wide range of candidates include both then-Sen. Obama and Senator John McCain.  After winning the White House, President Obama renewed his commitment and made creation and implementation of the Strategy his Administration’s number one HIV-related priority.

The White House created the Strategy with input from people living with HIV/AIDS, and other experts, providers and advocates.  The Strategy aims government efforts on following the evidence of what works to address the epidemic among the populations and areas where it is most acute.  The plan firmly asserts the need for domestic efforts to increase outreach and engagement of gay men of all races/ethnicities and within the African American community, groups that bear the brunt of the HIV/AIDS crisis.

The challenges we face during this era of economic turmoil are great, but make no mistake about it: making substantial progress against the epidemic is 100% doable.   It starts with our leaders fully funding effective prevention and care programs, including the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, needle exchange and other critical Ryan White and prevention programs. This could be a watershed moment for the HIV community and our nation as a whole, but only if we take concerted actions to fully implement the Strategy.

AFC is proud of its contributions to this historic moment and will not waste a minute in pressing government and community partners to help implement the Strategy.  

Learn more about our advocacy at nationalaidsstrategy.org.  Later today, AFC will also join other advocates in live blogging on the presentation of the Strategy at the White House.  Log-in for this monumental occasion to preventionjustice.org at 1:00 p.m. and share your thoughts and comments.