LISTEN:

Join us December 4th for Listen: Gay Men in Their Twenties Talk About Their Lives, Their Futures, and The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in DC

The Department of Health estimates that since 2001, young men who have sex with men ages 13-24 in the District of Columbia experienced a 900% increase of reported HIV infection compared to the previous five year period. Despite these increases, only half of all young adults under 25 are aware of their HIV status or have actively sought an HIV Test.

How can we best support young gay, bisexual, and transgender men who are HIV positive? How do we fight the secrecy and the stigma? How do we prevent new infections? Join us for a frank conversation with a panel of gay, bi, and trans men in their twenties as we tackle these important questions.

Thursday, December 4th
7:00 PM
HRC Equality Center
1640 Rhode Island Ave NW

Moderated by Zack Rosen, The New Gay
Opening Remarks: Tyrone Hanely, SMYAL
Closing Remarks: Brian Watson, Ryan White Planning Council

Sponsored by the DC Crystal Meth Working Group, The DC Center, and SMYAL. This program is funded in whole or in part, by the Government of the District of Columbia, Department of Health.

At-Large City Council Candidates on HIV/AIDS

On Saturday October 25th, Fight HIV in DC was a co-sponsor of an HIV/AIDS Forum with At-Large City Council Candidates. Participants included Carol Schwartz, Michael Brown, Mark Long, David Schwartzman, Patrick Mara, and Kwame Brown.

All the candidates agreed that with 1 in 20 people in the District living with HIV or AIDS, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is a top priority. We asked the city council candidates to briefly tell us what they would do to address HIV/AIDS in the District. Their unedited responses are collected in the youtube video below. Take time to learn about all the candidates, and please be sure to vote on November 4th.

Spotlight: HIV/AIDs and Women in DC

In the District of Columbia, women accounted for approximately one-third of all newly reported HIV/AIDS cases from 2001-2006. Black women accounted for the majority - 9 out of 10 - of all reported HIV/AIDS cases among women from 2001-2006.

Find out more. To view the squidoo page on Women and HIV/AIDS in the District of Columbia, click here.

March 10th marks National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day which seeks to raise awareness of the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on the lives of women and girls. For more information on National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, click here.

The Basics: Therapeutic HIV Vaccine Research

What is a vaccine?

A vaccine is a medical product designed to stimulate your body's immune system in order to prevent or control an infection. An effective vaccine trains your immune
system to fight a particular microorganism so that it can't make you sick.

Although there are currently no vaccines to prevent or treat HIV, researchers are developing and testing potential HIV vaccines. HIV vaccines designed to prevent HIV infection in HIV negative people are called preventive vaccines (see Preventive HIV Vaccines Fact Sheet). HIV vaccines designed to help control HIV infection in people who are already HIV positive are called therapeutic vaccines. This fact sheet focuses on therapeutic HIV vaccines.

What is a therapeutic HIV vaccine?

A therapeutic HIV vaccine (also known as a treatment vaccine) is a vaccine used in the treatment of an HIV infected person. Therapeutic HIV vaccines are designed to boost the body's immune response to HIV in order to better control the infection. Currently, there are no therapeutic HIV vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, therapeutic HIV vaccines are being tested in clinical trials to find out if they are safe and effective in treating people with HIV.

Researchers hope that if therapeutic vaccines are able to strengthen the body's natural anti-HIV immune response, people with HIV will not have to rely exclusively on the antiretroviral drugs now used to treat HIV infection. Currently, antiretroviral drugs must be taken for life, and some cause serious side effects. All experimental therapeutic HIV vaccines are in very early stages of research, and no therapeutic vaccine is anticipated to be available to the general public for many years, if at all.

Will a therapeutic HIV vaccine be able to cure HIV?

Probably not. If therapeutic vaccines are effective, they may be able to help keep HIV infection under control. However, most researchers do not think therapeutic HIV vaccines will be able to completely eliminate HIV infection, because the virus hides in certain cells of the body where it can last for decades.

Will a therapeutic vaccine rule out the need for antiretroviral drugs?

Even an effective therapeutic HIV vaccine probably won't be able to replace antiretroviral drugs entirely. At best, a therapeutic HIV vaccine may help control HIV infection and keep people healthy while minimizing the need for antiretroviral drugs.

Who is eligible to receive a therapeutic vaccine?

Therapeutic vaccines are designed specifically for HIV positive people who have healthy immune systems. Therapeutic vaccine recipients must have strong immune systems for the vaccine to generate an effective anti-HIV immune response. Clinical trials of therapeutic vaccines are recruiting volunteers with CD4 counts greater than 250 cells/mm³, and most studies require a CD4 count greater than 350 cells/mm³. People with weaker immune systems may be unable to produce a good immune response to a therapeutic HIV vaccine, and are therefore not eligible for these trials. Most trials require that therapeutic vaccine recipients continue taking antiretroviral drugs during the study.

What are the side effects of therapeutic vaccines?

Because testing is ongoing, not all of the side effects of therapeutic vaccines are known. However, side effects observed so far in clinical trials have been similar to the side effects that occur with FDA-approved vaccines. These side effects include:

• Soreness, swelling, redness, or pain at the site of injection
• Mild flu-like symptoms (fever, chills, muscle pain or weakness, nausea, headache, and dizziness)

I am interested in participating in a therapeutic HIV vaccine trial. How do I find a study near me?

Contact AIDSinfo toll-free at 1–800–448–0440 to speak to a Health Information Specialist, who will help you locate therapeutic vaccine trials in your area. You
can also locate research sites using the AIDSinfo Vaccine Web page at http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/Vaccines On the left side of the screen, under "Therapeutic AIDS Vaccine Trials," click "New and Recruiting Trials" for a complete list of currently recruiting therapeutic HIV Vaccine studies.

Enrolling in a clinical trial isn’t the only way to help the therapeutic HIV vaccine effort—there are other ways to participate. Consider serving on an Institutional Review Board overseeing therapeutic HIV vaccine trials. Lobby your elected officials to support therapeutic HIV vaccine research and development. Or volunteer in other HIV/AIDS treatment and support efforts—all are valuable ways to contribute.

For more information about HIV vaccines:
Contact your doctor or an AIDSinfo Health Information Specialist at 1–800–448–0440 or http://aidsinfo.nih.gov.

Terms Used in This Fact Sheet:

Antiretroviral: a medication that interferes with replication of retroviruses. HIV is a retrovirus. CD4 Count: CD4 cells, also called T cells or CD4⁺ T cells, are white blood cells that fight infection. HIV destroys CD4 cells, making it harder for your body to fight infections. A CD4 count is the number of CD4 cells in a sample of blood.

Clinical trial: a scientifically designed study testing the safety and effectiveness of a medication or other treatment in human volunteers.

Microorganisms: small life forms that can be seen only through a microscope, including bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and fungi.

A Service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Facts on Smoking & HIV

The DC Center has released a new fact sheet on Smoking and HIV/AIDS. The fact sheet is available at www.OutToQuit.org. You can also click here to download the fact sheet. The following is the summary statement from the fact sheet:

The DC Department of Health estimates that one in twenty DC residents is living with HIV or AIDS. That number is even higher among older District residents and other at-risk populations.

With proper treatment, many people living with HIV/AIDS in the District are living longer, more productive lives, but smoking poses a great threat to their long-term health and well-being.

We’ve known for a long time how dangerous smoking and second hand smoke are for the entire community. The American Cancer Society reports that “each year about 438,000 people in the United States die from illnesses related to cigarette smoking. Cigarettes kill more Americans than alcohol, car accidents, suicide, AIDS, homicide, and illegal drugs combined.”

The impact of smoking is far greater, however, for people living with HIV/AIDS. Smoking weakens the immune system, and makes it even harder to fight off opportunistic infections associated with HIV. Smoking also increases the risk of HIV-associated malignancies and other cancers found among people living with HIV/AIDS. Further, HIV positive individuals who are at greater risk for heart disease because of lypodystrophy, significantly compound that risk by smoking.
Smoking cessation services are a crucial component of long term HIV/AIDS care. Residents of the District of Columbia can access free support to quit smoking by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW. DC residents who call this number can get free smoking cessation aids like nicotine gum or patches.

Want to get all the facts? download the fact sheet here.

Spotlight: HIV/AIDS and African Americans in Washington DC

One of the striking featurs of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the District of Columbia is the disproportionate impact of the disease by race and ethnicity. Although African Americans comprised 57% of District residents in 2006, they accounted for 81% of all new reports of HIV cases and all living AIDS cases.

Find out more. To see the squidoo page on HIV/AIDS and African Americans in Washington, DC click here

February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and Information Day (NBHAAD). This annual observance day was created to raise awareness among African Americans about HIV/AIDS and its devastating impact on African American communities. To find out more about Natioal Blck HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, click here.

Local HIV/AIDS Advocates Featured in CBS News Story

Local HIV/AIDS Advocates are featured in this CBS News article on HIV/AIDS and the Presidential Candidates. Below is an excerpt of the transcript followed by a video clip of the full article

The CDC estimates that one in 20 people living in Washington, D.C., is HIV positive. Astoundingly, in the capital of the world's wealthiest country, the incidence of HIV/AIDS is two-and-a-half times that of Port au Prince, the capital of Haiti, one of the world's poorest countries.

C. Russell, 31, is HIV-positive, having been diagnosed nine years ago after having unprotected sex.

"Eighty percent of the HIV cases in this city - your city - are in blacks," Gupta said.

"They are," Russell said.

"What is going on here?" Gupta said.

"Apathy in our community. Apathy possibly maybe from the government," he said. "People not going and getting tested and getting treatment once they're diagnosed."

Luckily, Russell's been able to keep the virus at bay, without the need for medication. But if he did get sick, care and treatment costs over his lifetime could easily top $275,000.

"If it came to that, I'd want to know that I'd be taken care of. I'd want to know that I'd be able to get health care," he said.

But it's not just men.

The incidence rate for black women like Danielle, who is 42 and HIV-positive, is nearly 15 times that of whites - making AIDS a leading killer of African-American women ages 25 to 34.

Danielle contracted HIV through sexual intercourse 15 years ago, and passed the virus onto one of her five children during pregnancy.

"A lot of people are in the mindset that well, because we have medication we can take, it's OK if I become HIV positive," she said.

But Danielle has no health insurance. So she'll be in trouble should she ever develop AIDS.

"You couldn't get all the medications that you need, you couldn't get the sub-specialty care that you need. What would happen to someone like you?" Gupta said.

"I'd probably get sicker. And possibly even die," she said.

The Basics: Starting Anti-HIV Medications

I am HIV positive. Do I need to take anti-HIV medications?

You do not necessarily need to take anti-HIV (also called antiretroviral) medications just because you are HIV positive. You and your doctor will determine the best time to start treatment. When to take anti-HIV medications depends on your overall health, the amount of virus in your blood (viral load), and how well your immune system is working.

How will I know when to start anti-HIV medications?

You should start treatment if:
• you are experiencing severe symptoms of HIV infection or have been diagnosed with AIDS
• your CD4 count is 350 cells/mm³ or less (especially if 200 cells/mm³ or less)
• you are pregnant
• you have HIV-related kidney disease
• you are being treated for hepatitis B

If anti-HIV medications can help me stay healthy, why wait to start treatment?
Once you begin treatment, you may need to continue taking anti-HIV medications for the rest of your life.

Although newer anti-HIV medications are easier to take, starting treatment usually means a significant adjustment in your lifestyle. Some anti-HIV medications need to be taken several times a day at specific times and may require a change in the foods you eat, when you eat meals, and when you take other medications.

In addition to their desired effects, anti-HIV medications may have negative side effects, some of which are serious. If the virus is not suppressed completely, drug
resistance can develop. Side effects and drug resistance may limit your future treatment options.

What treatment is right for me?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides HIV treatment guidelines to doctors and patients. These guidelines recommend that you take a
combination of three or more medications from different classes (see Approved Medications to Treat HIV Infection Fact Sheet) in a regimen called Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART). The guidelines list "preferred" HAART regimens. However, your regimen should be tailored to your needs. Factors to consider in selecting a treatment regimen include:

• your drug resistance testing results
• number of pills
• how often the pills must be taken
• if pills can be taken with or without food
• how the medications interact with one another
• other medications you take
• other diseases or conditions
• pregnancy

For more information:

Contact your doctor or an AIDSinfo Health Information Specialist at 1–800–448–0440 or http://aidsinfo.nih.gov.

Terms Used in This Fact Sheet:

AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is the most severe form of HIV infection. HIV infected patients are diagnosed with AIDS when their CD4 count falls below 200 cells/mm3 or if they develop an AIDS-defining illness (an illness that is very unusual in someone who is not HIV positive).

Antiretroviral: a medication that interferes with replication of retroviruses. HIV is a retrovirus. CD4 count: CD4 cells, also called T cells or CD4⁺ T cells, are white blood cells that fight infection. HIV destroys CD4 cells, making it harder for your body to fight infections. A CD4 count is the number of CD4 cells in a sample of blood.

Drug resistance testing: A laboratory test to determine if an individual's HIV strain is resistant to any anti-HIV medications. HIV can mutate (change form), resulting in HIV that cannot be controlled with certain medications.

Viral load: the amount of HIV in a sample of blood.

A Service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This information is based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-1-Infected Adults and Adolescents (available at http://aidsinfo.nih.gov).

DC Crystal Meth Working Group Raises Awareness about Crystal Meth and HIV Among Latinos in Washington DC

The DC Crystal Meth Working Group is hoping to raise awareness about the prevalence of crystal meth and HIV within the Latino community by unveiling a new website and outreach materials, the group announced today.

To commemorate National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, which is October 15, the DC Crystal Meth Working Group is debuting a Spanish version of its website. The site contains basic information about crystal meth, its effects and where to go to seek treatment or harm reduction services. The new Spanish language site can be found at www.hablemosdelcristal.org.

“This new website is part of our ongoing efforts to reach out to the Latino community,” said Michael Sessa, chairperson of the DC Crystal Meth Working Group. “We are still learning the extent of crystal meth use within this population, but to the extent that there may be use at all, we want to provide resources and referrals.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Latino Americans and African-Americans continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. Crystal meth use has been tied to an increase in HIV rates among some populations.

In addition to the new website, the DC Crystal Meth Working Group has transcribed its brochure and palm card into Spanish to reach more people within the community. On September 28, the group participated in Fiesta DC, a Latino cultural festival in Adams Morgan.

The DC Crystal Meth Working Group consists of individual members of the local community and local organizations dedicated to providing information and resources that help people make informed choices about crystal meth. The group also collects data about crystal meth use and provides referral information for treatment and recovery. To learn more about the group visit www.letstalkaboutmeth.org.

Spotlight: HIV/AIDS and Injection Drug Use in Washington DC

Injection drug use (IDU remains a significant risk factor for HIV/AIDS in the District of Columbia. Though there has been a decline in the number of new HIV/AIDS cases attributed to IDU, the number of persons living with HIV/AIDS because of IDU has increased from 2001 to 2006. Also, IDU impacts black District disproportionately to other racial and ethnic groups.

Find out more. To see the squidoo page on HIV/AIDS and Injection Drug Use in Washington, DC click here

The Basics: Seeing an HIV Doctor

I am HIV positive. What kind of doctor do I need?

Your doctor (or other health care provider) should be experienced in treating HIV and AIDS. You may want to see an infectious disease specialist. You will need to work closely with your doctor to make informed decisions about your treatment, so it is important to find a doctor with whom you are comfortable.

What can I expect at the doctor's office?

Your doctor will ask you questions about your health, life style, conduct a physical exam, and order blood tests. This is a good time to ask your doctor questions. Write
down any questions you have and take them with you to your appointment.

Women should have a pregnancy test (see HIV During Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery, and After Birth Fact Sheet series) and a gynecologic examination with Pap smear.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

You should ask your doctor about:
• Risks and benefits of HIV treatment
• Other diseases you may be at risk for
• How your lifestyle will change with HIV infection
• How you can avoid transmitting HIV to others
• How you can achieve and maintain a healthier lifestyle

What tests will my doctor order?

It is very important to have a CD4 count and a viral load
test done at your first doctor's visit. You should also have
drug resistance testing. The results will provide a
baseline measurement for future tests.

• CD4count – CD4 cells, also called CD4+ T cells or CD4 lymphocytes, are a type of white blood cell that fights infection. HIV destroys CD4 cells, weakening your body's immune system. A CD4 count is the number of CD4 cells in a sample of blood.

• Viral load test – A viral load test measures the amount of HIV in a sample of blood. This test shows how well your immune system is controlling the virus. The two viral load tests commonly used for HIV are:
    • HIV RNA amplification (RT-PCR) test
    • Branched chain DNA (bDNA) test

• Drug resistance testing – Drug resistance testing determines if an individual's HIV strain is resistant to any anti-HIV medications. HIV can mutate (change form), resulting in HIV that cannot be controlled with certain medications.

To ensure accurate results, viral load testing should be done at two different times, by the same laboratory, using the same type of test. The results of different types of tests may differ.

Your doctor may also order:
• Complete blood count
• Bloodchemistryprofile(including liver and kidney function tests)
• Tests for other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Tests for other infections, such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, or toxoplasmosis

Am I ready to begin HIV treatment?

Once you begin taking anti-HIV medications, you may need to continue taking them for the rest of your life. Deciding when or if to begin treatment depends on your health (see Starting Anti-HIV Medications Fact Sheet) and your readiness to follow a treatment regimen that may be complicated. You and your doctor should discuss your readiness to begin treatment as well as strategies to help you follow your treatment regimen (see What is Treatment Adherence and Adhering to a Regimen Fact Sheets).

If my doctor and I decide to delay treatment, will I need to have my CD4 count and viral load tested again?

Yes. HIV infected people who have not started anti-HIV medications should have a viral load test every 3 to 4 months and a CD4 count every 3 to 6 months. You and your doctor will use the test results to monitor your infection and to decide when to start treatment.

For more information:

Contact your doctor or an AIDSinfo Health Information Specialist at 1–800–448–0440 or http://aidsinfo.nih.gov.

Terms Used in This Fact Sheet:

Baseline: an initial measurement (such as CD4 count or viral load) made before starting therapy and used as a reference point to monitor your HIV infection.

Kidney function tests: blood and urine tests that determine if your kidneys are working properly.

Liver function tests (LFTs): tests that measure the blood levels of liver enzymes (proteins made and used by the liver) to determine if your liver is working properly.

A Service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This information is based on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-1-Infected Adults and Adolescents (available at http://aidsinfo.nih.gov).

New Poll Shows DC Parents Overwhelmingly Support HIV and Sex Education

A recent city-wide poll, sponsored by MTA and the DC Healthy Youth Coalition, demonstrates that parents in the District overwhelmingly want their children to receive comprehensive sex and HIV prevention education in school. The Zogby International Poll, which sampled 652 DC parents showed that parents were nearly unanimous (98%) in their concern about the rates of HIV and STDs in Washington DC. Almost all (93%) of the parents polled think that preventing HIV and unintended pregnancies begins with comprehensive sex education that includes information on refraining from sex.

While the majority of parents support comprehensive sex education, the District of Columbia still accepts abstinence-only until marriage funding. There is no scientific evidence that abstinence-only-until-marriage programs—those that censor information about contraception—are effective in preventing HIV or teen pregnancy. Further, these messags are damaging to gay and lesbian youth.

A total of 22 states have rejected abstinence-only until marriage funding. While numerous youth organizations in DC have asked Mayor Adrian Fenty to reject this money, he has not yet done so.

Spotlight: HIV/AIDS and the Latino Community in Washington DC

HIV/AIDS impacts everyone in the District of Columbia, including the Latino Community. In 2006, Latinos comprised 8.2 percent of the District of Columbia population, and 4.9 percent of HIV/AIDS cases. Of course, this number may not show the entire picture because some latinos, particularly those in immigrant populations, may be less likely to get tested for HIV/AIDS.

Find out more about HIV/AIDS in the Latino Community. View the Squidoo page HIV/AIDS and Latinos in the District of Columbia.

October 15th is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, a day to talk about HIV/AIDS in the Latino Community. find out more.

Community Dialogue on HIV/AIDS with at-large City Council Candidates

Fight HIV in DC is proud to co-sponsor a Community Dialogue on HIV/AIDS with at-large City Council Candidates, taking place Saturday, Oct 25th at 1:00 PM at Greater DC Cares, 1725 I Street, NW.

The forum is co-sponsored by DC Fights Back, The DC Center, The Metropolitan Washington Public Health Association, and Metro Teen AIDS.

Join us for this important conversation on HIV/AIDS in the District of Columbia and learn more about what the at-large City Council Candidates think about HIV/AIDS.

2008 AIDS Walk Washington: Tell Your Story

Share your story from AIDS Walk 2008. Here's how:

Flickr If you have a flicr account, it's easy to add your AIDS Walk Washington photos to our AIDS Walk Washington Flickr Group. It's free and easy to set up a flickr account, but if you prefer you can just e-mail me your flickr pics and I'll post them to the group for you.

YouTube You can also send me your videos, and I'll add them to our Fight HIV in DC You Tube Page

BloggerIf you'd like, you could also send me a blog post about AIDS Walk DC and I'll post it on the site.

This Sunday: HIV/AIDS over Fifty

The DC Center Elder Think Tank is proud to present the second program in our fall series, HIV/AIDS Over 50. Please join us Sunday October 5th, at The DC Center, 1111 14th Street NW Suite 350, starting at 2:00 PM.

HIV is a virus that does not discriminate. Nearly one in 10 District residents aged 55 and older have HIV or AIDS. From 2001-2006, 245 new cases of HIV were reported among District residents aged 55 and older. There was an overall increase of 21% in newly report cases over that period of time.

• Dr. Shannon Hader, DC Department of Health HIV/AIDS Administration, will discuss HIV prevention issues for those 50 and older.
• Dr. Linda Green, Prince George’s Hospital Center, will discuss HIV/AIDS treatment for those 50 and older.

These presentations will be followed by questions and discussion. Please join us and be part of this conversation. This event is free and open to the public.

download the flyer for this event

DC Condom Rationing ALERT!

I've been a volunteer with Brother Help Thyself for over 13 years and our organization has had a condom distribution/safe sex education program since before I got involved with the organization. For the last several years, I've been actively involved in the ordering and distribution of condoms for Brother Help Thyself. That involved me ordering 30 cases every 2-4 months. We bought them in bulk and distributed them at cost to the bars and clubs in the city where men go to meet men for sex. Once the District announced that they would provide them free of cost, none of the businesses wanted to pay for them, so I am trying to get them from the district.

Today, I was told that they are not prepared to deal with the volume of 6,000-8,000 condoms a week. I find this hard to believe. My organization, with an annual budget of maybe $150,000 and no paid staff managed for years to fulfill the community needs and never say "we have no condoms." And yet the the DC government with paid staff and much greater resources advertises free condom distribution and can't fulfill its commitment. Is rationing condoms any way to prevent HIV?

Report Faults District's HIV/AIDS Awareness

Kaiser Daily offers this summary of a Washington Post Article

The District government improved its performance in battling HIV/AIDS, but the mayor needs to strengthen DC's public awareness campaign to combat the epidemic, according to DC Appleseed's HIV/AIDS in the Nation's Capital (Report Card No. 4: January 2008 to September 2008). Appleseed portrays a government that's just beginning to grapple with the scope of the crisis. It credits the District for making progress in needle exchange programs, expanded testing, and education efforts in schools. The government created a top leadership team at the DC HIV/AIDS Administration and expanded testing programs in city jails.

Appleseed urged Mayor Adrian Fenty to embark on a campaign -- in the African American and Latino faith-based communities -- to reduce the stigma associated with the disease. Most new AIDS cases in DC are found in older people who may have been spreading the disease for years. Appleseed is waiting for new statistics to determine whether past efforts had any impact.

Improvements since the third report card, which was issued in December 2007, include several grade changes: routine HIV testing went from a B-plus to an A-minus, syringe exchange services also went from B-plus to A-minus, substance abuse treatment went from C-plus to B, and AIDS education in DCPS went from D to C.

DC HIV Prevention Community Planning Group Needs Volunteers

DC HIV Prevention Community Planning Group is looking for volunteers to help guide HIV prevention in the District, including behavioral scientists, epidemiologists, evaluators, and individuals with experience in community mobilization. HPPG is also seeking individuals that can represent the perspectives of various risk groups, including men who have sex with men, injecting drug users, heterosexual men, and youth -- either because they identify with or work with these groups. They are also looking for representation of African and other immigrant groups. The application can be submitted until October 15th.

The application can be downloaded here: http://doh.dc.gov/hiv.

For more information contact donald.babb@dc.gov.

Songs for Life: December 1st, 2008

D.C.’s Different Drummers Present an innagural World AIDS Day event on 12/01/08, Songs for Life featuring the Capitol Pride Symphonic Band and DC Swing!

Proceeds from the concert will be donated to the Whitman Walker Clinic, Us Helping Us, and Metro TeenAIDS. The performance will be held at the Sidney Harman Hall Center for the Arts, 610 F Street, NW (Gallery Place Metro) from 7:00- 9:00 PM.

For Tickets and Information, call 703-708-5008 or www.dcdd.org.

Update on DC HIV Prevention Community Planning Group Meeting 9/11/2008

Continuing from the August CPG meeting....

The CPG bylaws were updated to increase the membership of the Operations Committee by two members; Ron Simmons and Cyndee Clay were voted onto the committee. It will be determined who will serve the 1-year and who will serve the 2-year term at the next CPG meeting.

HAA submitted the Interim Progress Report to the CDC on time along with a letter of concurrence from the CPG.

The membership committee announced that the CPG is recruiting for new members!! Although all interested persons are encouraged to apply, persons of specific interest include professionals (i.e., behavioral scientists, epidemiologists, etc), MSMs and IDUs. Community members (who are not employed with a HAA funded agency) and youth are also sought for membership on the committee. For more information and to apply, please click the link at the end of the post(MembershipApplication.doc).

Prioritization Update: HAA reports that the Resource Inventory tool is near completion and should be submitted to the CPG by the end of the week for review/questions/comments before being sent out to agencies. The RI is very comprehensive and will include information for prevention as well as care & treatment. The total resource inventory process is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year. HAA has also requested that the Data Committee submit the the request for the data needed to complete prioritization to HAA as soon as possible; the data committee should have a survey instrument completed by the end of the month. The survey will be sent to CPG members, alternates, and community members for input on the populations that should be included in the prioritization.

The next meeting of the CPG will be held on November 13, 2008 at 5:30PM at 64 New York Avenue NE in the 5th floor conference room.
MembershipApplication.doc

Seeking 2009 Sponsors to 'Fight HIV in DC'

The website www.fighthivindc.org has become the leading online source of information about local efforts to fight HIV/AIDS in the District of Columbia. I started this website over two years ago out of deep personal frustration about both the lack of awareness about HIV/AIDS in the District, as well as the lack of communication among those working to fight the disease. I’m proud of the website, our great volunteers, and all that we’ve accomplished, but I’m even more excited for what comes next.

On World AIDS Day, we plan to re-launch www.fighthivindc.org as a project of The DC Center. As many of you know, I became acting Executive Director of The DC Center this past April. Working on HIV/AIDS is a natural fit for The DC Center; and by joining forces, Fight HIV in DC will have access to more resources including The DC Center’s David Bohnett Cyber Center, which will soon expand to include digital video and media capabilities. It will also allow us to seek funding for Fight HIV in DC to support this important work and to expand our HIV/AIDS efforts to include online and offline activities.

As we move forward, I ask for your support to make this happen. I invite you to become a 2009 sponsor of the www.fighthivindc.org website. Sponsors will be announced when we re-launch the website, and featured prominently on the website from December 1st, 2008 to November 30th, 2009.

This is an opportunity for you to support the fight against HIV/AIDS in the District, but also this is a tremendous opportunity to reach a specific and important audience: the HIV/AIDS community in Washington, DC.

Please click here to download the sponsorship information and consider sponsoring www.fighthivindc.org in 2009. Your support is greatly appreciated.

HIV Vaccine Awareness Day: May 18th, 2009

About HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
Scientists have been searching for a vaccine to prevent HIV infection since the virus was first identified in 1983. Each clinical trial brings us one step closer to finding an effective vaccine. More than 25,000 HIV-negative individuals have participated in both government- and privately sponsored HIV vaccine trials.

HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is a day to educate our communities about the efforts to find a preventive HIV vaccine and to recognize and thank the thousands of volunteers, health professionals and scientists who are conducting and participating in HIV vaccine research.

Sign up for this event on Facebook

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HIV/AIDS Over 50: October 5th

The DC Center Elder Think Tank is proud to present the second program in our fall series, HIV/AIDS Over 50. Please join us Sunday October 5th, at The DC Center, 1111 14th Street NW Suite 350, starting at 2:00 PM.

HIV is a virus that does not discriminate. Nearly one in 10 District residents aged 55 and older have HIV or AIDS. From 2001-2006, 245 new cases of HIV were reported among District residents aged 55 and older. There was an overall increase of 21% in newly report cases over that period of time.

• Dr. Shannon Hader, DC Department of Health HIV/AIDS Administration, will discuss HIV prevention issues for those 50 and older.
• Dr. Linda Green, Prince George’s Hospital Center, will discuss HIV/AIDS treatment for those 50 and older.

These presentations will be followed by questions and discussion. Please join us and be part of this conversation. This event is free and open to the public.

download the flyer for this event

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2009

March 10, 2009 marks the fourth annual National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day which seeks to raise awareness of the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on the lives of women and girls.

Women and girls can take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS in a variety of ways such as getting tested for HIV, practicing safe methods to prevent HIV, deciding not to engage in high risk behaviors, talking about HIV prevention with family, friends and colleagues, empowering oneself, and providing support to those living with HIV/AIDS.

For more information click here.

Happy Hour Benefits Transgender Health Empowerment

The Cherry Fund will be hosting a happy hour on Wednesday, October 1st at Topaz Bar beginning at 6:30 PM. Topaz Bar is located at 1733 N Street, NW.

There is a $10 donation at the door, and all proceeds will benefit Transgender Health Empowerment. your donation includes 2 Complimentary Snow Queen inspired drinks, Complimentary appetizers, Cherry Tee and 2 Disc CD. The Cherry Fund will also be raffling off event & theater tickets. So come by and raise a glass in support of our community!

The mission of T.H.E. Inc. is to enhance the quality of life of the diverse transgender populations we serve by advocating for and supporting a continuum of health and social services. In fulfilling our mission, we seek to unify and empower the transgender, lesbian, gay, and bisexual communities.

Quality of Life Retreat December 1-4, 2008.

The next HIV/AIDS Quality of Life Retreat takes places December 1st through the 4th at the Washington DC Retreat House

The Quality of Life Retreat program began in 1988. Since then over sixty retreats have been conducted.

The retreats are a connecting and coping experience for persons living with HIV/AIDS. It is a chance to get away, to get together, to interact and to learn the techniques and attitudes that are effective in dealing with the issues of long-term survival.

The program includes workshops that focus on self-acceptance, spiritual empowerment, stigmas, mental health, and maintaining quality of life. There will be workshops, entertainment, singing, prayer, and a healing services. Participants support each other through a Prayer-Buddy System. The group may also design a Talent Show. The retreat is limited to 40 participants and is offered to persons living with HIV/AIDS. The program is ecumenical and opent to individuals of all faiths, religions, and beliefs.

The retreats have four objects:

• To provide a safe, loving environment in which participants can be fully themselves, free of fears and inhibitions, and can deal openly with their deeest concerns.
• To offer spiritual, practical, educational and health resources to those whose lives have been, are and will be affected personally by HIV infection.
• To listen to what HIV infected persons have to say about their journeys.
• To offer and develop a viable model of how the religious community can make a compassionate and effective response to this crisis.

The ultimate goal is to provide retreats that will be a connecting and coping experience for persons living with HIV/AIDS.

The next retreat will take place December 1st through the 4th at the Washington DC Retreat House, which is operated by the Sisters of the Franciscan Order.

For more information visit www.qualityofliferetreatshiv.org

Sheryl Lee Ralph To Organize Protest at Lincoln Memorial

Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, best known for her work in the musical Dreamgirls and the sitcom Moesha, has also been known for years for her commitment to fight HIV/AIDS.

Sheryl Lee Ralph has worked closely with the National Minority AIDS Council and organized numerous fundraisers including her well known annual event, Divas Simply Singing. She has performed her one woman show about HIV/AIDS, Sometimes I Cry, here in DC and around the country.

Ralph will take her activism to new territory on September 27th, however, as she stages a sit-in to call the federal government to take action on the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the African American community. The National Ledger reports:

Ralph who has traveled to several southern African countries to present HIV/AIDS workshops and presentations, with the support of PEPFAR is distressed by the lack of similar effort to eradicate AIDS in Black American communities.

“I am happy there is PEPFAR but how many times does the CDC have to report that over half of all new HIV infections are occurring among African Americans before we do something about it? HIV/AIDS threatens the very future of Blacks right here in America.“

Ralph hopes she will be joined in D.C. by anyone who is willing to take a stand or a seat and demand change when it comes to the health of all Americans. “The time is now! If we don’t stand up for ourselves who will? AIDS affects us all!”

DC Cowboy Calendar Benefits AIDS Foundation

Founded in 1994, the DC Cowboys dance troupe dazzles audiences across the country. The combination of country-western with jazz gives the gay dance group crossover appeal, and the gorgeous guys make the dancers a favorite in the gay community.

The DC Cowboys are once again releasing a calendar along with a companion DVD. This year, 50% of the proceeds of the calendar will benefit the Paul Malerba Foundation for HIV/AIDS services. The Paul Malerba Foundation assists non-profit organizations in caring for patients who have HIV/AIDS by providing financial assistance for medical care, mental health and educational services to low income, underinsured/uninsured persons living with the disease.

To purchase your calendar and support the Paul Malerba Foundation, visit http://www.dccowboys.org/page.aspx?Store.

AIDS Walk Washington: October 4th, 2008

AIDS Walk Washington, benefitting Whitman Walker Clinic, will take place on October 4th, 2008. Olympic champion Greg Louganis will serve as Grand Marshall of the walk. You can register for the walk online at: www.aidswalkwashington.org.

View and share pictures from AIDS Walk Washington on The Flickr AIDS Walk Washington Group.

DC Needle Swap Saving Lives

DCPCA Summary of this Washington Times Story: PreventionWorks! is a needle exchange program that focuses on preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. It's been eight months since Congress lifted a decade-long ban prohibiting the District from using local tax dollars to support needle exchange programs. Critical funds are now starting to reach groups that run those programs, but it remains to be seen how effective they will be. Walter Smith, the executive director of the DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, monitors the District's efforts to reduce HIV infection.

There are multiple factors that produced our high HIV/AIDS rate, and it'll take multiple factors to bring it down, says Smith. The reasons include unstable leadership at DC's HIV/AIDS prevention office -- which had 12 directors in 20 years. The District has a high population of black and gay residents, who have high rates of infection. Intravenous drug use is the second most common way HIV is spread in DC, after unprotected sex, according to a HAA report released last year. DC needle exchange advocates say the ban left them without an important tool in a city where roughly 10,000 residents are thought to be injection-drug users.

PreventionWorks! had to scrape by mostly on private donations, but now the District increased the group's budget by $300,000 over three years. That's the largest share of nearly $700,000 the District is allocating annually for needle exchanges. Other organizations receiving help include those that work with specific high-risk groups, such as prostitutes and the homeless. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy argues the programs may actually increase disease-infection rates because they fail to curb risky behaviors associated with needle-sharing.

Faces of an Epidemic

Michael Manganiello, 50 , prepares his evening routine in the warm glow of his fifth-floor Logan Circle apartment. He's been through it once already: one, two, three . . . the pop of a bottle, then the rattle of pills, as he counts them out . . . 11, 12, 13. · He ponders the number: "Thirteen -- unlucky," he murmurs. Between morning and evening, he takes a total of 27 pills these days.

Continue reading this article in the Washington Post.

HIV Prevention Community Planning Group (CPG)-August Meeting Review

At the August meeting of the CPG, Dr. Hader engaged the CPG in a discussion about what HAA needs from the CPG as we move forward from the after-math of the reorganization of the CPG. Dr. Hader stressed that while she cannot tell the CPG how to accomplish our goals and tasks, she can outlay the needs of HAA to the CPG. At a minimum, the CPG should fulfill all CDC prevention mandates, including annual applications, population prioritization, gap analysis and the prevention plan for DC per the schedule provide by HAA. Additionally, the CPG must be a diverse body consisting of members with various skill sets which can be used to accomplish tasks. HAA would prefer that mandated processes (i.e., member recruitment, prioritization) utilize point people whom HAA can go to for information, clarification and to help ensure that processes are not stalled. Optimally, in addition to the minimum requirements, Dr. Hader encourages CPG members to engage in dialogue with HAA and provide insight about the prevention needs in the District that go beyond the CDC grant application. Dr. Hader also looks forward to having meaningful engagement with and from the Operations committee of the CPG and beseeched the committee institute a method that will ensure that HAA is aware of the progress of CPG activities and vice versa. The CPG requested that going forward that processes and communications from HAA be transparent as possible, and that there is mutual accountability for deadlines and task completion.
At the July CPG meeting, the bylaws were changed, resulting in the eradication of all standing committees and the installation of an Operations Committee. At the August meeting two members were voted on two the operations committee: Melina Afzal and I, Zenovia Wright. A motion was made to increase the size of the Operations Committee from five members to seven; this motion will be discussed and voted on at the next meeting of the CPG. Should this motion be approved, the two other CPG members who were nominated for the Operations Committee (Ron Simmons and Cyndee Clay) will be considered to fill the two remaining spots on the committee. Melina Afzal will serve a one-year term on the Operations committee and serve as chair of the ad-hoc Membership Committee. I will serve a two-year term and chair the ad-hoc Data/Prioritization Committee. Ad hoc committees are open to input and participation from all CPG and community members. Meeting dates and times TBA.
HAA was recently notified that the CDC Interim Progress Report is due from HAA on 8/22/08, approximately three weeks earlier than normal. As HAA is in the process of reviewing an RFA, they cannot identify how funds will be distributed throughout the city, however they can report that there are more funds available this year ($2mil compared to last year’s $1.4mil), and that they are looking at all target populations as well as some special populations. The report will also discuss the progress being made; final funding decisions will be made by October 1. The CPG authorized the Operations committee to review the IPR on its behalf and provide HAA with a letter of concurrence, non-concurrence or concurrence with reservations. HAA will provide a draft to the CPG by 8/22. The Operations committee will meet on 8/26 and notify HAA and the CPG of its decision.
The next meeting of the full CPG will be held on September 11, 2008 at 5:30 PM at 64 New York Ave NE. All are welcome to attend.

Increase in New HIV Infections at Whitman-Walker

NBC4 reports on new HIV infections at Whitman-Walker Clinic:

"There have been 266 new HIV diagnoses in the first half of 2008, a 232 percent from the number of cases in the first half of 2007, according to the clinic. One-third of the newly diagnosed patients have full-blown AIDS, the clinic said. The new infections were found primarily in two groups, gay men and African-Americans, according to the clinic."

Could the International AIDS Conference Come to DC?

For more than two decades, the International AIDS Conference has taken place every two years in countries around the world with the exception of the United States.

The International AIDS Society does not hold it's conferences in countries that restrict short term entry of people living with HIV/AIDS and/or require prospective HIV-positive visitors to declare their HIV status on visa application forms or other documentation required for entry into the country.

The United States made news around the world in 1989 when Dutch AIDS activist Hans Paul Verhoff was denied entry into the United States because of his HIV status. The ban was codified into as part of the NIH reauthorization in 1993.

But this era has gladly come to an end. Thankfully, the reauthorization of PEPFAR, the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief which was signed into law yesterday. It included a provision to repeal discriminatory HIV travel and immigration law, raising the possibility of the International AIDS Conference coming to the United States.

Could the International AIDS Conference come to Washington DC. Well it won't happen in 2008 when the conference will take place in Mexico city. And it won't happen in 2010 when the conference will take place in Vienna. But it could happen in 2012.

Previous DC HIV/AIDS Director Marcia Martin suggested the conference come to DC should the travel ban be lifted at an event in 2006.

There are many reasons it makes sense to do so. First, with one in 20 DC residents living with HIV, this conference could potentially shine an international spotlight on our devastating HIV/AIDS statistics. Second, with so many decisions that impact HIV/AIDS around the world being made in our nation's capitol, the possibility of bringing HIV/AIDS advocates from around the world to DC has exciting potential. Third, a conference of this size could be a huge economic boost to the District.

As plans are made for the 2012, the International AIDS Society has an opportunity to make a powerful statement by bringing the conference back to the United States for the first time in twenty years. I hope they do so by holding the 2012 conference in the United States, and give serious consideration to holding the conference in Washington, DC.

AIDS: The Cavalry is Not Coming to Save Us

Pernessa Seele, who founded the group Balm in Gilead, writes on Anderson Cooper 360 Blog:

The world has been very consumed with the devastation of AIDS in Africa. Great! However, there should be a worldwide out-cry that 1 in 20 persons living in Washington, DC, our nation’s capital, is living with the AIDS virus. Over 80% of these persons living with HIV in Washington, DC, are Black Americans.

The HIV prevalence rate in Washington, DC, (5%) is fast approaching the levels of infection in Uganda (5.4%).

read the entire article at Anderson Cooper 360:.

WWC Seeks Focus Group Participants for Next Week

Project R.E.D., Whitman Walker Clinic's new community education and outreach program for HIV prevention, is looking for volunteers to participate in focus groups on Monday July 21st and Tuesday July 22nd. They have four target groups for this campaign and are looking for focus group participants from these groups:

* 18 – 24 year old gay men
* Single gay men of color
* 24 – 35 year old heterosexual African-American women
* Heterosexual African-American men under the age of 40

The purpose of these focus groups is to talk with people in these target groups to determine what messaging would be most effective as well as determine what vehicle would be best for delivering that message. So, there will be questions about attitudes toward sexual behavior, what things people respond more to; and what type of imagery or wording would get's people's attention or resonates with them, etc. This is completely confidential and participants will be compensated for their time.

If you know of some people who are potential participants, please call Karen Solod during the day at 301-441-4660 or call Kathie at the same number in the evenings during the week or anytime over the weekend and say Whitman-Walker Clinic sent you. If there are any questions, indicate it is for the RT Strategies Focus Groups.

She Fourteen, She's Dying, and She Still Doesn't Know Why

I hear a lot of stories about HIV and AIDS in DC but this one I had to share with you. A staff person at a local medical facility today told me about a fourteen year old in the District of Columbia who is losing her battle against HIV/AIDS. Tragic as this is, it still happens, especially in the District. DC still has a higher HIV/AIDS Death Rate than any state.

What makes this case particularly tragic is that the young woman does not even know she is HIV positive. (She was born with HIV, a challenge that continues to plague our city. While there are treatments that prevent HIV positive pregnant moms from passing HIV on to their children in most cases, The District of Columbia also has the highest perinatal HIV transmission rates in the country).

And in this case, her mother has decided not to tell the young woman about her HIV status, and the Doctor is unfortunately obliged to respect her wishes.

I've heard second-hand information about several such cases at both Howard University Hospital and Children's National Medical Center. Despite the fact that young people in DC have the right to confidentially access sexual health services beginning at 13, there are young people aged 13, 14, 15, and even sixteen, that have not been told they are HIV positive.

Sometimes the parents may be concerned about how the children react. Sometimes the parents may be concerned about their own HIV status being revealed to friends and family. Either way, it continues to happen.

In the case of this fourteen year old girl, it seems to me outrageous that she could leave us and never know the truth about her HIV status.

But it is also outrageous to have sexually active teenagers in the District of Columbia who are HIV positive and don't even know it.

Given what we know about young people in DC from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data it's quite possible these youth are sexually active for several years before they even find out they are HIV positive. It's hard to believe, but true. And it may be yet another factor contributing to our high HIV/AIDS rates in the District.

Young adults have a right to accurate and honest information about their health and well-being. They should also have a right to know their HIV status.

Breaking the Silence on HIV

emPower Magazine Editorial Director/Publisher DeShuna Spencer writes about HIV in the District of Columbia:

Recently, while boarding the subway, an ad inside of the train car caught my attention. In big black letters the poster read: 1 in 20 people live with HIV. From first glance, one might’ve thought the ad was referring to an African country where HIV is devastating entire families and communities. But the statistics were actually referring to the District of Columbia, my own backyard. After conducting further Google research at home, I learned that Washington DC has the highest AIDS rate among major cities. And what’s even more alarming, 9 out of 10 women who test positive in the District are black.

Continue reading this article at emPower

really, your kids are having sex. like seriously.

Bloger and fellow AIDS activist OC Girl has a great blog post up about doing HIV prevention outreach in the District of Columbia. She writes:

Obviously those kids are sexually active. However, I am forbidden from doing outreach at the school or handing out condoms to anyone under 18. So, when I passed by the school a few weeks ago and saw what I saw, I seriously considered breaking the law.

continue reading this blog post on OC Girl's kick ass blog

CPG Meeting Recap for 7/10/08

Since the current prevention plan has been extended through 2009, the CPG is taking the opportunity to explore ways to increase the group’s productivity and increase/maintain community input involvement. At last night’s meeting the CPG voted on proposed changes to the Bylaw’s concerning CPG membership.

In short, the Executive Committee proposed the following changes:

• Reducing the maximum number of voting members from 31 to 23.
• Holding 6 regular meetings of the full CPG each year (as opposed to 12) with the possibility that additional meetings can be called depending on the committee’s workload.
• Members must attend at least 4 meetings each year. An alternate may represent the member at one meeting each year.
• Eliminate all standing committees.
• Incorporate an allowance for ad hoc committees to be formed to address specific tasks as these situations arise.
• Transforming the Executive Committee into an Operations committee composed of the government co-chair, community co-chair, community co-chair elect, and four members of the CPG, with 2 chosen by the membership and 2 appointed by the CPG chairs.
  

The CPG discussed the proposed changes and decided:

• To keep the membership cap at 31 until/unless we could determine a reasonable justification for changing this number. The thinking behind the proposed change is that we could retain CPG members; however some CPG members are concerned that reducing the membership cap could negatively impact the diversity (community representation) of the CPG.
• The CPG decided to eliminate all standing committees, including the Executive committee.
• The CPG approved the installation of an Operations Committee, but with the following changes: Instead of being a body of 7 members, it has been reduced to a body of 5 members, with two members from the CPG instead of 4. Both members will be chosen/nominated by the full CPG.

Also important to note:
At the present time, all future full CPG meetings will continue to begin at 5:30 PM on the 2nd Thursday of the month in which a meeting is scheduled. The meetings are scheduled around times the CPG is needed to perform CDC mandated CPG tasks. Meetings will be held August 14, September 11 and November 13, 2008. In 2009, meetings will be held February 12, April 9, and June 11.

Currently, the Operations committee will meet monthly via conference call at 11:30AM on the first Thursday of each month. Two members from the CPG will be approved at the August 14, 2008 meeting.

As always, the community is welcome to attend all meetings and engage in the community process. Meetings are held at 64 New York Ave NE at 5:30PM in the 5th floor conference room. Thank you.

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day October 15th

October 15th is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, a day to talk about HIV/AIDS in the Latino Community.

Latinos in the United States continue to be affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, accounting for a greater proportion of AIDS cases than their representation in the U.S. population overall, and the second highest AIDS case rate in the nation by race/ethnicity. Studies have shown that Latinos with HIV/AIDS may face additional barriers to accessing care than their white counterparts (read the fact sheet here).

To learn more, visit the National Latino AIDS Awareness Day website at www.nlaad.org.

2008 National Latino AIDS Awareness Day Events

National Latino AIDS Awareness Day Congressional Briefing
Tuesday October 14th
Room 2218 in the Rayburn House Office Building, US Congress, Washington DC
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

2007 National Latino AIDS Awareness Day Event
click here for a description and photos of 2007 DC NLAAD Events
click here for the list of 2007 NLAAD Events

Add this event on Facebook

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Fight HIV in DC Now on Facebook

Fight HIV in DC has a new home on Facebook. To reach our facebook group, click here. And please be sure to invite your facebook friends to sign up for the group as well.

Of course, you can still reach Fight HIV in DC on MySpace, Friendster, YouTube, and Flickr.

DC HIV/AIDS Administration Out of Condoms

The DC Department of Health HIV/AIDS Administration long troubled Condom Distribution Program has hit yet another roadblock. They ran out of condoms.

A local HIV/AIDS organization that was told they could pick up thousands of condoms this week was told this morning that the HIV/AIDS Administration is cleaned out and will not have any condoms to distribute for at least a week.

The shortage raises questions about the overall distribution of condoms. On two separate occasions in 2006 and in 2007, the HIV/AIDS Administration pledged to distribute a million condoms. As a basis of comparison The New York City Health Department distributes anywhere from three to five million condoms each month.

But while the HIV/AIDS administration pledged on two separate occassions to distribute a million condoms it now seems pretty obvious based on the numbers that they never even had a million condoms to distribute.