The afternoon session, Developing and Implementing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, led by UNC SPH alum Greg Millett, detailed the features of the country’s first national strategy addressing prevention and treatment of HIV. The purpose of this strategy is to refocus attention on domestic the epidemic and identify a few key steps that will make the biggest impact. Key goals include: (1) reduce HIV incidence; (2) increase access to care for people living with HIV and optimize their health outcomes; and (3) reduce HIV related disparities.
The United States has invested millions of dollars in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs in developing countries through PEPFAR. It seems odd we are just now putting together our own HIV/AIDS Strategy. Still, the momentum for putting this strategy into action is positive. In the budget released last week, President Obama innovatively allocated $60 million to specifically take forward our HIV/AIDS Strategy. Perhaps other governments will follow in specifically adding a line item to their budgets to take forward a strategy. A document is only as good as its implementation and I am interested to follow this creative move enacted by our nation’s leader.
For me personally, this was one of the most interesting domestic sessions I’ve ever attended at a conference. My focus has always been global public health but this one struck a chord with me. Perhaps it was Greg’s fabulous presentation and insightful yet astounding anecdotes – did you know that 1/3 of Americans believe HIV can be transmitted by sharing a glass of water, using public toilet seats, or swimming in public pools? This statistic has not changed since 1987! From a health workforce perspective, I appreciate Greg’s attention to addressing the shortage of health care providers, especially highlighting our need to have “culturally grounded” providers to provide HIV care.
You can and you should learn more about our National HIV/AIDS strategy at http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/NHAS.pdf.
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