The legendary Dionne Warwick has been an HIV/AIDS advocate for more than 30 years, and she’s still fighting. Warwick recently partnered with ACRIA—a New York City–based national organization renowned for its research, advocacy and education regarding older adults and youth affected by HIV/AIDS—to release three public service announcements (PSAs) to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in adults over the age of 50, especially African-American women.

“Through the release of these PSAs, I am honored to join forces with ACRIA and thousands of fellow AIDS activists across the country who are renewing efforts to raise awareness, develop public policies and target funding to support HIV prevention, treatment and care,” said Ms. Warwick. “Despite great progress in scientific research and prevention, HIV continues to exact a heavy toll on communities of color, including adults over the age of 50 and African-American women, who are often forgotten in this epidemic.”

The PSAs were released on March 10 to coincide with National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and Women’s History Month.

Warwick was one of the first celebrities to publicly support HIV/AIDS research and prevention. In 1985, she recorded “That’s What Friends Are For” with Stevie Wonder, Elton John and Gladys Knight. The song raised more than $3 million for amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.


Thank you for being a friend, Ms. Warwick.

For more information about ACRIA, click here.

Click here to read a POZ interview with Warwick in 2011.