Black Americans accounted for about 38 percent of HIV diagnoses among people aged 13 or older in the U.S. in 2023, the latest year for which data is available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But they make up only about 14 percent of the population. The HIV diagnosis rate among Black Americans was 42 per 100,000 people, whereas the overall rate was 13.7 per 100,000. Black Americans accounted for 43 percent of HIV-related deaths among people aged 13 or older.
"We are honored to share the name and event details of Cycle to Zero with our community, so many who have been supporters of SFAF, long-time participants of AIDS/LifeCycle, and champions for our HIV and LGBTQ communities," said Tyler TerMeer, Ph.D., CEO of SFAF. "As our systems of public health care and funding for HIV and LGBTQ+ services continue to come under attack, now is the time for our communities to come together to protect and prioritize the health care and services we need."
CVS Health's decision is a clear violation of the ACA's requirement to cover USPSTF-recommended preventive services, including PrEP. The entire world is excited by this drug and its potential contribution to preventing and eventually ending HIV. However, a drug will only work if people can access it and right now CVS Health, which owns the largest pharmacy benefit manager in the country, is shamefully blocking people from taking it, unlike other payers.
More than 600 individuals and organizations from across Ontario have signed a letter calling on the province to allow the distribution of syringes at Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs, citing increased risks of HIV and hepatitis C transmission due to the prohibition.
