CDC e-HAP FYI Updates: World AIDS Day 2012

	Visit the e-HAP Web site.   Additional Resources: CDC HIV/AIDS www.cdc.gov/hiv Visit CDC’s HIV/AIDS Web site. CDC-INFO 1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636) Get information about personal risk, prevention, and testing. CDC National HIV Testing Resources www.hivtest.org Text your ZIP code to KNOW IT or 566948. Locate an HIV testing site near you. CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN) 1-800-458-5231 www.cdcnpin.org Find CDC resources and technical assistance. AIDSinfo 1-800-448-0440 www.aidsinfo.nih.gov Locate resources on HIV and AIDS treatment and clinical trials. Please contact us with questions, comments or other feedback about e-HAP

Dear Colleagues,

December 1 is World AIDS Day, a time to acknowledge the global impact of HIV and the efforts of all who work toward an AIDS-free generation at home and abroad.

The year has brought new energy to these efforts. Exciting international research points to the promise of biomedical interventions for HIV, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis and “treatment as prevention”—reducing the viral load of people who are infected to greatly reduce the likelihood that they will spread HIV to their uninfected partners.

As well Secretary Clinton commemorated World AIDS Day 2012 and unveiled the PEPFAR Blueprint: Creating an AIDS-free Generation. This is a milestone that will provide a roadmap for how the U.S. Government will work to help achieve an AIDS-free generation around the world.

But there is still more we can do individually—wear a red ribbon to commemorate World AIDS Day; learn about HIV among youth in the United States and educate others about actions you can take; help reduce stigma and promote HIV testing by putting a face to AIDS through the Facing AIDS photo sharing initiative; “like” the Act Against AIDS Facebook page; and share your thoughts, feelings, accomplishments, challenges and hopes for an AIDS-free generation on Twitter (hashtag #WAD2012). Also, join CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden along with us on Tuesday, December 4^th at 3PM EST, to get answers to your questions about HIV among youth, prevention education, and HIV testing and care to keep people healthy and free of HIV. Use hashtag #CDCchat.

In honor of World AIDS Day, CDC is launching the Let’s Stop HIV Together Facebook application, which allows you to participate in this campaign by creating your own virtual campaign ad. The ad can be shared via a wall post, a Facebook message, or an e-mail. Anyone with a Facebook account who wants to raise awareness and help to reduce HIV stigma can use this new app, which is available at www.facebook.com/actagainstaids. 

One of the most important things you can do on World AIDS Day is to continue to share the facts about the importance of HIV testing and urge your friends, family, clients, and associates to get tested. If you need to find an HIV testing site near you, contact 1-800-CDC-INFO, text your zip code to KnowIt (566948) or go to http://HIVtest.cdc.gov. 

These are only a few examples of activities ongoing in the global community and by individuals, but each one is bringing us closer to our goal to stop HIV/AIDS. On this World AIDS Day, as we reflect on our accomplishments let us also embrace the future and commit to intensifying our efforts. We have the opportunity to re-engage and to achieve the global goal of an AIDS-free generation.

Sincerely,

/ Kevin A. Fenton/
Kevin A. Fenton, MD, PhD, FFPH
Director
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Preventionwww.cdc.gov/nchhstp
/ Jonathan H. Mermin/
Jonathan H. Mermin, MD, MPH
Director
Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Preventionwww.cdc.gov/hiv
/ Howell Wechsler/
Howell Wechsler, EdD, MPH
Director
Division of Adolescent and School Health
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Preventionwww.cdc.gov/healthyyouth