May 18, 2009
AIDS Alliance Recognizes National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
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Releases New Fact Sheet on the Truth About the HIV Vaccine
Washington, D.C.- In recognition of May 18, 2009 as National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD), AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families announces the release of a new fact sheet highlighting critical information regarding the need for development of a vaccine in the search for a preventive measure against contraction of HIV, and how vaccine research is being conducted in various countries to learn in greater detail how to tackle the complex nature of the virus. May 18th marks an important moment leading up to living in a world without AIDS.
The fact sheet, The Truth About the HIV Vaccine, is available on the AIDS Alliance website www.aids-alliance.org and will be distributed at conferences, workshops, and community events around the country.
HIV is increasingly impacting the lives of thousands of women, both domestically and globally. There is increased need, now more than ever, for people from diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses to participate in vaccine trials in the search for a successful vaccine. Educating communities about the possibility of one day having a vaccine, and also what it takes to get to that point is critical in the development of a successful preventive health care option in dealing with HIV. Additionally, May 18th is a day to praise the commitment put forth by researchers, HIV/AIDS organizations, community activists, health professionals and volunteers for the great strides taken in development of an HIV vaccine.
"AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families is strongly committed to working within at-risk communities to reduce the incidence of HIV," said Alelia Munroe, Board President. "HIV/AIDS affects everyone regardless of their serostatus, therefore AIDS Alliance encourages the participation in awareness efforts such as these, and further promotes widespread participation in vaccine trials to further our commitment to one day having a world without AIDS."
As a part of this pledge, AIDS Alliance facilitates several programs to address AIDS in populations most affected, including women. Funded by a cooperative agreement with the Division of Adolescent and School Health of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Girls 4 HOPE (Health, Opportunity, Prevention and Education) program, AIDS Alliance works toward increasing the capacity of community-based organizations to initiate and improve the delivery, effectiveness, and sustainability of culturally and linguistically- relevant HIV prevention programs for female African American and Latina youth, aged 13-18 and their families.
In addition, the Consumer Leadership Corps Training Program, funded by a cooperative agreement from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), empowers HIV positive women to conduct community workshops aims at assisting people with HIV and their caregivers in accessing medical and other supportive services in their communities and neighborhoods, further enhancing the capacity for consumers to be effective educators of their peers.
AIDS Alliance, along with other partners of the NIAID HIV Vaccine Research Education Initiative (NHVREI), also encourages women of all races and ages to educate themselves about the importance of HIV vaccine research and encourages participation in clinical trials by people of all races and ethnicities, genders and socioeconomic backgrounds. Participation by the populations most highly affected is critical to the success of the endeavor. (For more information visit: www.bethegeneration.nih.gov ).
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Founded in 1994, AACYF is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the partnership between consumers and providers – we are the voice of women, children, youth and families living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. AACYF works to enhance and expand access to quality, comprehensive, family-centered care to America's children, youth and families affected by HIV/AIDS, as it represents the nation's network of over 650 Ryan White Part D funded community-based organizations. Part D programs serve over 53,000 HIV-affected women, children, youth and families through sites located in 35 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
