The Houston Department of Health, along with other community partners, hosted the vigil on the 33rd World AIDS Day in downtown Houston. It was one of many events held in the Houston area on Wednesday.
President Joe Biden’s administration announced a new initiative in collaboration with the CDC to reduce the number of new HIV diagnoses and end the HIV epidemic by 2030.
John Huckaby, CEO of the AIDS Foundation Houston, said it could have a significant impact on local organizations, including the AIDS Foundation Houston, which strives to provide preventive resources and services to the community.
“We are very grateful that the federal government is increasing resources at the community level,” Huckaby said. “So that agencies like ours can continue to develop strategies and interventions to really help us end the epidemic. We believe we can do it.”
According to AIDS Foundation Houston, one in seven people nationwide does not know their HIV status.
Houston and Harris County both have higher rates of new HIV diagnoses, and people living with HIV, than the state of Texas and the United States, according to the latest data report.
Huckaby told ABC13 that the African American community comprises 50% of all people living with HIV in the Houston area, and that Hispanics or Latinos make up 28.5% of people living with HIV in the Houston area. Houston.
“What worries us is that among recent cases, the Latin American community comprises 37% of the total population of those recently diagnosed,” Huckaby said. “So we know we have real concerns among people of color in our community and their vulnerability to HIV.”
Nationally, black and brown communities are disproportionately affected by the rate of HIV infection.
Dr. Allyssa Harris, dean of nursing at Prairie View A&M University, said one of the factors contributing to these alarming numbers is access to affordable health care.
“It’s really about access to care and lack of insurance, and so people are really not looking for treatment for various issues just because of money issues, or no insurance or things. like that, ”Harris said. “Or not having the time, being able to take time off from work or take time off from their normal job to seek care. We really want to improve access at all levels.”
Harris said it’s also important for the community to break down the stigma around preventive care, get tested for HIV regularly, or talk about safe sex.
“If you are not offered an HIV test, you should ask to be tested,” Dr Harris said. “You have to think about your risky behaviors, what behaviors you engage in and whether they put you at risk for HIV or a sexually transmitted infection. I think it’s vitally important, especially for women. When we think of HIV transmission among women, especially minority women, they are at higher risk of heterosexual transmission and people think it’s related to intravenous drug abuse and it’s really not. , among women, the rates are much higher among African American and Latino women than in other groups. “
The Houston Health Department offers free and confidential HIV and STI testing at its health centers. To make an appointment, you can call 832-393-5010 or visit the Houston Health Department website.
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