August 24, 2009

Obama Launches National HIV/AIDS Community Discussions

President Barack Obama announced August 21 the launch of the National HIV/AIDS Community Discussions, a series of nationwide events hosted by the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) that will allow the public to actively participate in the promised formation of a national HIV/AIDS strategy.

The first event will take place August 25 at the 2009 National HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

“HIV remains a serious challenge to the American people, and I am committed to developing an effective National HIV/AIDS Strategy,” Obama said in a statement. “The National HIV/AIDS Community Discussions will provide an opportunity for members of the public to give their input on how we can best address this crucial issue. With the insights from communities across the country, we will have a strategy that is focused on the goals of reducing HIV incidence, getting people living with HIV/AIDS into care and improving health outcomes, and reducing HIV-related health disparities.”

Future community discussions are slated for Washington, DC; New York City; San Francisco, Oakland and Los Angeles, California; Houston; Albuquerque; Jackson, Mississippi; Fort Lauderdale; Minneapolis; Columbia, South Carolina; Puerto Rico; and the Virgin Islands.

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Previous Comments:

Odhiambo, kericho, 2009-10-27 04:08:22
Hii Our parents are living in US and I qualify for a green card lottery I was suppose to go to US in 2009 but all my plans were halted because I'm HIV+. Please Obama can you help us to uplift HIV+ travel ban.

James, Minneapolis, 2009-09-12 02:14:42
America has gotten so bad for gay men in general, even worse for persons living with HIV/AIDS. We just do not have enough rights and our healthcare is AWFUL. We are getting raped by big pharma and forgotten in the healthcare reform. Discrimination is rampant for people with HIV/AIDS. More education is needed publicly. There should be PRIMETIME specials on being Gay and HIV poz in America. We have it worse than black people in so many ways. Its so sad because we're good people.

michelle, INDIANA, 2009-09-01 13:16:24
I do wish some attention would be paid to the state of INDIANA. This state is truly lacking.

Abebe, Addis Ababa, 2009-08-29 03:18:22
IT IS VERY NICE BEGINING FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO LIVE WITH HIV AIDS. PRISIDENT OBAMA I REQUEST YOU TO TERMINATE THE TRAVEL RESTRICTION THAT PUT ON PEOPLE WHO LIVE WITH HIV AIDS ESPECIALLY IN AFRICA

Audrey mueller, kansas city, mo., 2009-08-28 17:46:20
There needs to be a lot more discustions on HIV and Aids because people don't understand about it. To many young people think because there is medicine they don't have to be careful.

lynn, missouri, 2009-08-27 22:33:10
Those of us who cannot travel to attend the forums could use an address to write. The ONAP website just lists the whitehouse as and address.

Paul Scoggins, Lakeland, Fl., 2009-08-26 08:35:56
As an HIV/AIDS Advocate for over 13 years I believe we have talked enough. It is time to roll out and fund the programs that have proven to be successful. We need to address the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, we have to address access to affordable medication, housing and transportation. We need to bring the HIV/AIDS Community together with programs supporting social activities encouraging relationships with other HIV/AIDS infected people.

Gary, Nashville, 2009-08-25 22:21:21
First and foremost I feel the president should not focus primarally on healthcare he should also focus on drug companies competing to have first slot on the open market these medications for HIV/Aids I feel the President should allow any and all indiviuals to not be disallowed from state medicaid programs as well regulate states more than they are currently in my state of Tn I have seen many individuals cut and left without health care and meds from an issue that stated in 1977 its shameful.

lynn, missouri, 2009-08-25 20:26:39
Where will this be in Missouri? any way to testify annonomously?

Micheal Shane, SAN DIEGO, 2009-08-25 18:51:01
HOW COME SAN DIEGO ISN'T ONE OF THE CITIES LISTED ABOVE?????

Robert Evans, New York, 2009-08-25 13:00:37
I still cannot figure out how to send in my suggestions for helping prevent further spread of HIV in this country and in the world, and then to share it with other HIV POZ folks in New York and other places. How?

Abebe, Addis Ababa, 2009-08-25 11:46:13
IT IS VERY NICE BEGINING FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO LIVE WITH HIV AIDS. PRISIDENT OBAMA I REQUEST YOU TO BRING THE TRAVEL RESTRICTION THAT PUT ON PEOPLE WHO LIVE WITH HIV AIDS ESPECIALLY IN AFRICA

WildFish, Long Beach, 2009-08-25 11:45:07
While the President's comments sound encouraging, I am not surprised by the vague and ambiguous language. No one has mentioned either the Obama's Health Care Reform may opt people out as being too costly. I will wait to see with an open mind. But don't forget, in spite of how you feel about Obama and whether you are wooed by charismatic charm, he is still a politician and his political survival will always be first. Politicians have not exactly been friends to the HIV/Aides crisis

Peter Susi, North new Jersey, 2009-08-25 11:42:52
There is an urgent need to increase HOPWA funding to help house us with HIV & AIDS

Barb, Houston, 2009-08-25 11:10:39
Will Poz keep us up to date on the details, i.e. dates/times/locations for these discussions? I am interested in the Houston one. Thanks!