On Thursday, December 9, HIV.gov hosted “The Updated National HIV/AIDS Strategy: What’s New and What’s Next? A Webinar on How to Use the StrategyExit Disclaimer”, led by Harold Phillips, Director, The White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP). Topics included how the Strategy can be used in communities, as well as how community-based organizations and federal officials plan to use the Strategy within their own communities and departments.

Joining Mr. Phillips to discuss the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (2022-2025) (NHAS) were:

• Dafina Ward, Executive Director, Southern AIDS CoalitionExit Disclaimer.
• Edwin L. Walker, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging, Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).
• Joe Carlile, Senior Advisor, Budget, Policy and Programs, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Dr. Leo Moore, Medical Director for Clinical Services, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and a new member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, moderated the conversation. 

NHAS Development and Implementation

Mr. Phillips said ONAP has increased engagement with several federal agencies that support state and local work that impact the lives of people with HIV. He also shared the Strategy’s vision and explained how priority populations were selected based on data showing how some groups are disproportionately impacted.

Mr. Phillips shared key modifications to the updated NHAS (2022-2025) and its objectives and strategies. He also discussed the upcoming process for development of the NHAS Implementation Plan and how success requires engagement of non-federal partners across the nation.

Aging and HIV

NHAS adds a new focus on the growing population of people with HIV who are aging. People aged 50 and older have distinct clinical and social needs, Mr. Walker explained. He also detailed ACL’s collaborative work and state plan guidance to ensure services are reaching older adults with HIV.

Housing Programs

Mr. Carlile showed how HUD’s Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program provides housing to people living with HIV and AIDS. He also discussed relevant connections to other HUD programs and opportunities to prevent homelessness.

Community Implementation

Ms. Ward emphasized the important role community organizations have in implementing the NHAS. She said NHAS is an opportunity for meaningful coalition-building and engaging advisory groups, clients, advocates, and others living with and impacted by HIV to end the HIV epidemic.

Kaye Hayes, Acting Director, Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP), rounded out the conversation with closing remarks. OIDP will coordinate implementation of the Strategy among federal partners.

Learn more about the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (2022-2025) and how it provides stakeholders across the nation with a roadmap to accelerate efforts to end the HIV epidemic in the United States by 2030.