Fighting HIV/AIDS in Metro Atlanta

The recent growth of HIV infection rates in the South are very concerning.  Three Metro Atlanta counties – DeKalb, Fulton, and Clayton – rate among the highest in new HIV diagnoses.  Thankfully, new medications mean that HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence, but living with the disease involves a lifetime commitment to staying in care. 

On June 27th, I joined Fulton County’s Task Force on HIV/AIDS who are working on a strategy to end the pandemic in our community.  I also took an HIV/AIDS test, because fear and stigma should not stand in the way of knowing our status or from accessing care.  At a recent Ways and Means Committee hearing, I continued to question how we can improve access to medication for HIV/AIDS patients as a part of health care reform.  

To promote health in our community, we must stand up, and we must speak out.  Everyone – faith leaders, doctors, policy makers, neighbors, families, and friends – we are all responsible.  We are one family.  We are one house, and we must come together if we are to ever see the end of and cure to AIDS.