[Archived] Alexandria Health Department and Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS to Host Virtual World AIDS Day Event

For Immediate Release: November 25, 2020 

The Alexandria Health Department and Alexandria Commission on HIV/AIDS will partner with the Northern Virginia chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Northern Virginia National Council of Negro Women to host a World AIDS Day virtual event on December 1, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. World AIDS Day is an opportunity to celebrate and support global efforts to prevent new HIV infections, increase HIV awareness and knowledge, and support those living with HIV. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has designated the 2020 theme for this observance day as “Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Resilience and Impact.” 

The event will feature a keynote speaker presentation titled “The Evolution of HIV Treatment,” by Anthony Gutierrez from Gilead Sciences. A panel discussion will follow the presentation, covering topics on HIV/AIDS from various perspectives including HIV/AIDS Service providers, representatives from the faith-based community and persons living with HIV/AIDS. The event will feature guest speakers who will provide an overview of advancements in the development of HIV treatment and milestones, research updates, strategies to improve adherence to medications, and fostering more open conversations between patients and their health care providers. Speakers will also share lessons learned in HIV/AIDS that could offer further insight into the current challenges around the COVID-19 pandemic response and address barriers in outreach to underrepresented communities such as legal issues, racial discrimination, mental health, gender-specific issues and other disparities for access to health.

Since World AIDS Day was first observed more than 30 years ago, progress to prevent and treat HIV has been extraordinary. Advancements in HIV medicines along with new and effective HIV prevention methods (pre-exposure prophylaxis PrEP) have enabled people living with HIV to live longer, healthy lives and prevent HIV transmissions. 

Visit alexandriava.gov/Health to register for this event. Registration is required, and the deadline to register is November 27. 

For inquiries from the news media only, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact nechelle.terrell@vdh.virginia.gov or call 703.746.4934, Virginia Relay 711.