Virginia in top 15 for HIV/AIDS diagnosis as Obama and Richmond activists honor World Aids Day 2015

GayRVA Staff
December 1, 2015

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Read More: Church of The Holy Comforter, World Aids Day 2015

The affects of HIV/AIDS continue to plague the world, but here in Virginia, and locally in Richmond, many continue to face some of the highest rates of infection in the nation.

A 2011 study put Virginia as the 14th most  HIV diagnoses, with  1,096 new cases. Nationally in 2011,  49,081  new infections were reported.

Breaking those numbers down geographically paints a picture HIV/AIDS activists in Richmond have been speaking to in a while – how the illness continues to effect minority populations.

According to the Virginia Department of health, based on stats from 2012, Black and Hispanic males were 5 and almost 2 times more likely to be living with HIV disease than White males, respectively. Black females were almost 15 times more likely to be living with HIV than White females, and Hispanic women were over 3 times more likely than White females to be living with HIV.

Gay men, or men who engage in homosexual activity, lead the back in new diagnosis as well, with 46% of new cases coming from MSM (men who have sex with men) populations

The White House has made promises about HIV/AIDS research and support for sometime, and today they released a document detailing state-side and and international efforts to combat the illness.

“Globally, though prevention, treatment, and care have significantly improved, nearly 37 million people are living with HIV, including 1.2 million in the United States, and too many have not been diagnosed, are not in medical care, and are not virally suppressed,” read the White House release, saying the Obama Administration was committed to doing what they could to help the fight. “Too many lack access to life-saving and life-enhancing services.”

As part of the Federal Action Plan for 2016-2020, about 170 actions will be assigned to different agencies to support effected populations. Steps include expanding access to testing through Medicare and Medicaid and collaboration with the CDC, targeting populations not receiving care with programs like HUD-funded “Continuums of Care” systems, improving access to preventative care, or PreP, by getting an up-to-date inventory of federal programs able to provide the treatment, and work to reduce discrimination against those suffering from the illness by expanding training in the Equal Opportunity Commission.

A four year plan, set up in conjunction with international partners as part of their Emergency Plan forAIDS Relief (PEPFAR), was also detailed in the hopes of achieving an “AIDS free generation” by 2030. This plan involves support and serves to nations over seas, with access to health care and additional services.

President Obama plans to address the country with an online statement at 1 PM today, you can watch it here.

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