Douglas Brooks

The Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) will soon host four regional forums across the country that will inform the updated National HIV/AIDS Strategy for 2016-2020. Central to achieving the Strategy’s goals is sustained and ongoing dialogue with communities around the country, including state and local health officials, community based organizations, medical and social service providers, and people living with HIV. This year, we will renew our commitment to the Strategy’s vision by updating the data, the science, and the policies needed to move forward by improving our national approach to HIV prevention, treatment, and care.

Released in July 2010, the National HIV/AIDS Strategy is our nation’s first comprehensive plan to reduce new HIV infections, improve health outcomes, reduce HIV-related disparities, and achieve a more coordinated national response. Since 2010, major scientific and policy advances have informed our approach to addressing HIV in the United States. To guide our Strategy for the next five years, we want and need to hear from you: those on the ground, providing and receiving life-enhancing services every day, in response to the Strategy’s vision and goals.

Each regional forum will focus on a specific Strategy goal and take place in the following cities:

“Reducing New HIV Infections” — LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

Date:Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM PDT
Location: St. Anne’s Conference Center: 155 N Occidental Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

“Increasing Access to Care” — NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Date: Friday, April 24, 2015
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM CDT
Location: Nashville Public Library: 615 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219

“Reducing HIV-related Disparities” — DETROIT, MICHIGAN

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2015
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM CDT
Location: Institute for Population Health: 1400 Woodbridge Street, Detroit, MI 48207

“Achieving Greater Coordination: Innovations and Integration of Prevention and Care to Improve the HIV Care Continuum” — BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

Date: Friday, May 8, 2015
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM EDT
Location: TBD

Meetings are free and open to the public. RSVPs are requested at cmpinc.net/ONAP.

In addition, ONAP will solicit community input through online channels, including an online public forum during April and May. For additional details, please visit AIDS.gov and follow the ONAP blog at WhiteHouse.gov/ONAP for updates.

Douglas M. Brooks, MSW, is the director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy. This article was originally published on the White House blog and AIDS.gov.