World AIDS Day is a tremendous opportunity for people worldwide to unite together in the fight against HIV. A contribution to that fight here in the U.S. is the Information Is Powerful Medicine campaign. Launched earlier this year, the campaign contributes to Department-wide efforts guided by the National HIV/AIDS Strategy to improve health outcomes for all people living with HIV/AIDS. Focusing specifically on Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (BMSM) given the significant HIV-related health disparities they face, the campaign underscores how having access to your medical records can help you better manage your health. We encourage you to visit hiv.gov/about-us/privacy-policy to learn more.

The campaign highlights important health information protections and urges individuals to access their medical records to help them be more involved in their care. Access to this information empowers patients to track their progress, monitor their lab results, communicate with their treatment teams, and adhere to their important treatment plans. The campaign also provides information on e-health tools, such as the Blue Button, which make it easier, safer, and faster for consumers to get access to their health information. Finally, the campaign presents information on the HIPAA Privacy RuleExit Disclaimer in clear, understandable language because trust in the privacy of health information is of critical importance for people living with HIV.