HIV/AIDS Community Discussions

December 1, 2009

To combat the rising HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States, President Obama has committed to developing a comprehensive, coordinated National HIV/AIDS Strategy to reduce HIV incidence, increase access to HIV/AIDS care, and reduce HIV-related health disparities. In the fall of 2009, the White House hosted 14 HIV/AIDS community discussions across the country to gather input from local residents, activists, and members of the community on the development of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

Seven Foundation Ambassadors delivered testimony and offered recommendations at HIV/AIDS community discussions in Atlanta, Georgia; San Francisco, California; Los Angeles, California; Washington, D.C.; Columbia, South Carolina; and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to urge the Obama Administration to make women and children living with HIV/AIDS a priority in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

Check out photos, videos, and notes from Foundation Ambassadors at the events.

Cristina Pena testifies in San Francisco, California, about the importance of including women and children in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

Cristina Pena Speaks at White House Town Hall from EGPAF on Vimeo.

Read Cristina's Note From the Field

Ben Banks speaks out in Washington, D.C., discussing the importance of pediatric HIV/AIDS drugs and research.

Ben delivers testimony at the Washington, D.C., community discussion. (Photo: EGPAF)

Read Ben's Note From the Field

Jamie Gentille takes the microphone in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to highlight the importance of pediatric HIV/AIDS research in her fight against HIV/AIDS.

Jamie Gentille Speaks at White House Town Hall from EGPAF on Vimeo.

Julie Jones Barnes talks about the importance of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Columbia, South Carolina.

Julie Jones Speaks at White House Town Hall from EGPAF on Vimeo.

Linda Siemers and her son, Cameron, stand up in Los Angeles, California, to urge the White House to make women and children a priority in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.