Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus

As we mark National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, let us work to uplift and empower young people. They are critical in our fight against stigma and discrimination and will help end AIDS by 2030!

Discrimination prevents far too many people from getting tested & accessing HIV care. This , join us in combating stigma and break the silence around HIV/AIDS.

As we mark National Gay Men’s /AIDS Awareness Day, let’s work to end homophobia & stigma that prevents far too many from getting tested and accessing care.

The HIV/AIDS epidemic is still with us. Every day too many people lose their lives to this disease. We must make a way out of no way. HIV/AIDS is not a disease that discriminates. It affects all of us--our friends, our family, our neighbors. We must fight this together. Today I took an HIV/AIDS test to show you cannot allow fear or stigma to stand in the way of knowing your status.

Today, we mark National African American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This community has experienced the terrible cost of this disease. As we mark today, I ensure all to take their health in their hands, get educated, get tested and get care if you need it. Together, we can see an ! https://locator.aids.gov/

As a caucus, we work with partners, both inside and outside the government, to achieve an AIDS-free generation. Recently, Doug Brooks, director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, discussed some of the priorities laid out in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

What Drives Me? Getting to an AIDS-Free Generation

World AIDS Day is an opportunity to unite in the global fight against HIV, show solidarity with those living with the virus and remember those lost to this terrible epidemic. As we mark this important day, we can and must commit to ending this disease because the time to act is now.

Since 1995, June 27th has marked National HIV/AIDS Testing Day. This year’s theme is: Take the Test. Take Control.

“Each year, I proudly participate in National HIV/AIDS Testing Day - I take the test and I take control. As we mark the 20th anniversary of National HIV/AIDS Testing Day, I hope that all Americans will take this opportunity to get tested and take control of their health,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), co-chair and co-founder of the bipartisan Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus

“National HIV Testing Day is an important reminder of what we all should be doing. Testing is crucial to ensure you know your health status and can fully inform your partner. By knowing your status, you can begin life-saving treatment earlier and prevent further transmission of HIV,” said Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), co-chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus.

“In our fight against HIV and AIDS, knowledge is power. While we continue our efforts to better understand the biology of HIV and AIDS and work to combat the social inequalities faced by those living with it, the knowledge of one’s status is fundamental to preventing its transmission and stemming the tide of this devastating disease. At the same time, it is vitally important that we continue our support for the PEPFAR program,” said Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA), co-chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in seven HIV-positive individuals is unaware of their status.

“Given this statistics, more than 800 people in my district could be HIV-positive and unaware of their status. We must do more to ensure that everyone has the necessary resources to get tested and take control of their health,” added Congresswoman Lee.

As in past years, the co-chairs of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus have arranged for HIV testing on Capitol Hill for Members of Congress as well as Congressional and facilities staff.

Individuals can find HIV/AIDS services by visiting www.locator.aids.gov.

The effort to end childhood is truly a bipartisan movement. Read this great OpEd by co-chairs Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Congress’s commitment to realizing an AIDS-free generation.

Crossing the aisle to end childhood AIDS What can be accomplished when people work together is truly remarkable. This holds true in so many endeavors, but it is especially true in politics.

More than half of young people living with HIV/AIDS don’t know they have been infected. Visit https://www.aids.gov/ to get tested & find services

The African American community is facing an HIV/AIDS epidemic. Last year, nearly half of new US HIV infections were among African Americans. Take action to end HIV infections – find testing locations here: https://locator.aids.gov/

Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus co-chairs: Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen & Congressman Jim McDermott have a new editorial in IMPACT on the need for more frontline health workers to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The key to an AIDS-free generation | PSI Impact | Global health news and commentary brought to... The key to an AIDS-free generation Reps. Barbara Lee, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Jim McDermott Rep. Barbara Lee Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Rep. Jim McDermott When we talk to people on the frontlines of the global fight against HIV/ AIDS, one thing becomes immediately clear: There is a great shortage of trai…