#United States #Atlanta #Health Action Alliance #HIV Prevention #World AIDS Day

U.S. Business Leaders Gather to Fight HIV

As the U.S. gears up for a new presidential administration, leaders from the business sector, public health, and community organizations came together in Atlanta last week to emphasize their commitment to eradicating the HIV epidemic and enhancing access to prevention and treatments. This meeting, marking the annual Coalition gathering, was organized by the Health Action Alliance (HAA) under the U.S. Business Action to End HIV initiative.

The Coalition, founded in December 2022, has rapidly evolved to become the largest independent employer network focused on promoting workplace HIV education and improving access to testing, prevention, and treatment services. It has garnered support from major health corporations like Gilead Sciences and ViiV Healthcare, and now includes a diverse group of over 100 businesses such as Chevron, CVS Health, KPMG, Uber, and Walmart.

In 2019, the Trump administration set a bold initiative aiming to reduce new HIV infections by 90% by 2030, with targeted efforts in regions most affected by the virus. Recent data from the CDC shows promising progress; between 2018 and 2022, there was a 12% decline in new HIV infections nationwide, and an impressive 21% decrease in high-priority areas. The National HIV/AIDS Strategy, updated in 2021, emphasizes the pivotal role of the business community in fostering workplace inclusion, enhancing care accessibility, and combating stigma associated with the illness.

During the recent meeting, the Coalition highlighted their biennial Impact Report, detailing their accomplishments over the past two years and showcasing various corporate initiatives aimed at combating HIV.

Mario Harper, Co-Director of U.S. Business Action to End HIV, expressed pride in the achievements made thus far. “Together with our coalition members, we are creating a proactive learning environment, investing in communities hit hardest by HIV, and developing innovative strategies to improve public health services,” he stated.

The meeting also featured the inaugural U.S. Business Action to End HIV Awards, recognizing exemplary efforts to advance awareness and care related to HIV. Recognized were:

• - 2024 Action Award: Companies that successfully implemented all six corporate actions, including Avita Care Solutions and Walgreens.
• - 2024 Corporate Leadership Award: Mercer for its notable contributions to raising awareness of the economic and social impacts of HIV.
• - 2024 Leadership Award: Glen Pietrandoni from Avita Care Solutions for his outstanding dedication to the HIV advocacy field.

Looking towards the future, the Coalition plans to increase its network of employers involved in HIV prevention, enhance educational initiatives for company staff, and fortify local chapters in major cities like Atlanta, Houston, and Los Angeles. Moreover, the organization is set to launch member-led working groups aimed at expanding access to HIV testing and reducing stigma through various media campaigns.

As we approach World AIDS Day on December 1, the Coalition is encouraging businesses to take concrete actions to contribute to ending the HIV epidemic in the U.S. by 2030. A toolkit comprising six focused strategies aimed at employers has been made available to help guide these efforts.

For those wishing to learn more about how their companies can participate in the fight against HIV, additional information can be found at Health Action Alliance and related resources.

Together, the collective efforts of the business sector and community organizations stand poised to make a significant impact on public health and work toward a future free of HIV.