Nationals HIV/AIDS Strategy and how the mission of Women Accepting Responsibility, Inc. is helping to meet this goal.

By She’kell HutchinsonProgram Director, Supportive Housing ServicesWomen Accepting Responsibility

The United States will become a place where new HIV infections are rare and when they do occur, every person, regardless of age, gender,

race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or socio-economic circumstance, will

have access to high quality, life-extending care, free from stigma and discrimination

CDC estimates that more than one million people are living with HIV in the United States. One in five (21%) of those people

living with HIV is unaware of their infection.

Miguel Gomez, AIDS.gov Director stated“An important component of the HHS National HIV/AIDS Strategy Operational Plan is what is known as “the 12 Cities Project.”

Comprehensive HIV/AIDS planning is needed cross-agencies to respond and support efforts to decreasing the 12 U.S. jurisdictions that bear the highest AIDS burden in the country.

Estimates Rates of New HIV Infections, By Race/Ethnicity, 2006

Content Source:Divisions of HIV/AIDS PreventionNational Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

Reduce The Number of New HIV/AIDS Infections

Increase access to care for people living with HIV/AIDS

Reduce HIV related Health Disparities

Implementing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy does not

fall to the Federal Government alone. Success will require

the commitment of all parts of society, including state,

local, businesses, faith communities, the scientific /

medical communities, educational institutions, people

living with HIV, and others.

What We’re Doing

Increasing office hours for providing HIV testing and services known to reduce the risk associated with HIV/STI infections

Volunteering testing through Street Outreach, offering prophylactics – and

other safer sex tools

Expand targeted efforts to prevent HIV infection using a combination of effective, evidence-based approaches in schools, transitional programs, churches, in office day & evening

Support people living with HIV with co-occurring health conditions and those who have challenges meeting their basic needs, such as housing, food, & clothing

Offer routine testing & education on treatment and care

Partner collaboration with Pharmaceutical companies (Bristol Myers Squibb/ Vertex )

Collaboration with THC ( Mental Health Treatment, Primary Care & Substance abuse Treatment )

Encouraging Viral load Suppression through Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy adherence/medical guidance

Reduce stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV

Engage new partners in HIV prevention, care, treatment and stigma-reduction efforts to strengthen our collective efforts and reach more people

Encourage highly impacted communities to seek treatment and encourage routine testing in high prevalence areas