In recognition of World AIDS Day 2016, representatives across Baltimore City honored those lost to AIDS and recommitted to eliminating the disease in Baltimore City. World AIDS Day is a global annual event held on December 1st to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for those living with HIV, and commemorate those who have passed.

Throughout the day, BCHD and partners across the city provided free testing for residents, culminating with an evening event with Mayor Rawlings-Blake to celebrate those with HIV who are living and thriving, while honoring lives lost.

“As we recognize World AIDS Day, we acknowledge that while Baltimore has made much progress, much more must be done,” said Dr. Wen said Thursday. “We must continue to do the critical work of public health to reduce disparities and fight stigma, because we cannot afford to lose the next generation to this potential deadly, but preventable disease.”

During the evening celebration, BCHD honored Mayor Rawlings-Blake with an award in appreciation for her dedication and commitment to the HIV Planning Group and Commission and the Greater Baltimore HIV Health Services Planning Council.

“Today, we remember all those we have lost to the AIDS epidemic and recognize those currently living with HIV in Baltimore City,” said Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. “Across the board, we have made a great deal of progress in our fight against HIV and AIDS in Baltimore; however, we must work to further reduce new infections and improve the quality of life for all our residents.”

On average, the Baltimore City Health Department performs more than 50,000 HIV tests and connects thousands of individuals with HIV/AIDS to high-quality primary medical care every year.

Historically, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has hit Baltimore hard. Currently, there are 13,000 people living with HIV/AIDS. The African-American community is disproportionately affected—while they account for 62 percent of Baltimore’s population, 82 percent of all people in Baltimore with HIV/AIDS are African-American. African-Americans are also five times more likely to die from HIV than Whites.

Over 22 years ago, Baltimore was one of the first cities to introduce the Needle Exchange Program (NEP) which has helped cut HIV infection rates from intravenous drug use from 63 percent in 1994 to 7 percent in 2014. Each year, the Community Risk Reduction team performs over 50,000 HIV tests for residents. Diagnoses have drastically declined in Baltimore and potentially will be as few as only 200 new diagnoses in 2020.

Additionally, BCHD is working to expand access to PrEP and on a campaign called I’MPACT which puts unprecedented resources into reducing infection among transgender populations. Peer navigators work as credible messengers to assist those most vulnerable to HIV and reduce the disparities that African-American communities continue to face. Due to these efforts, Baltimore was asked to join the Fast-Track Cities Initiative, a world-wide declaration to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

The Baltimore City HIV Planning Group and Commission (HPG) is the official HIV prevention planning body for the city. The HPG is composed of key stakeholders directly involved in the continuum of HIV care, including representatives from charitable foundations, business, faith and recovery communities, community-based organizations, universities, the criminal justice system, HIV infected/affected persons, physicians, and prevention, treatment, and mental health providers. In alignment with the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, the HPG is entrusted with providing guidance on HIV prevention activities for the City.  This includes:

• Identifying gaps in current HIV prevention services;
• Engaging in a result-oriented process to identify strategies to reduce the HIV burden in at-risk populations;
• Providing policy recommendations and guidance on efficient and effective HIV prevention interventions to address gaps;
• Providing leadership in developing, implementing, and monitoring the strategic plan for addressing HIV/AIDS issues in the City.

For more information about Baltimore City’s HIV prevention efforts, please visit: http://health.baltimorecity.gov/hivstd-services/hivstd-prevention-program.