Because HIV, HCV, and HBV are all blood-borne infections transmitted through similar patterns of behavior, co-infection is an important emerging  public health issue. About 3 million adults in the United States are infected with Hepatitis C, most of which are baby boomers. However, between 65-75% of those infected with Hepatitis C are unaware of their infection, and lack of medical care can result in significant liver... 

May 19, 1012 is the first ever Hepatitis Testing Day inthe United States. Since chronic hepatitis often does not cause any symptoms until serious liver damage has been done, testing for hepatitis is crucial. Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C can become chronic, life-long infections which can lead to liver cancer. Millions of Americans are living with chronic viral hepatitis, and many do not know they are infected. HIV/AIDS,... 

Stigma and discrimination are universally experienced by persons living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.   It has been determined that homophobia, stigma, and discrimination negatively affect the health and well-being of clients and communities, and can result in the added burden of stress and health disparities. Experienced on the personal or individual and community level, stigma is an obstacle to prevention, care and... 

Social workers are working with and on behalf of persons affected by HIV/AIDS  – be it in hospital and mental health clinics, community based organizations and/or private practice.   Across diverse fields of practice – social worker are committed to learning more about HIV and AIDS. Social workers recognize that culturally competent HIV prevention, care and treatment requires keeping current on substance use,... 

The Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently held a Listening Session on LGBT and HIV/AIDS Issues.  The meeting, comprised of stakeholders from LGBT organizations and HIV/AIDS organizations, as well as larger membership organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), was convened by Director, Leon Rodriquez.  During the meeting, Director Rodriquez stressed the OCR’s... 

World AIDS Day is a global health day that is observed on December 1st, calling on social workers globally to unite in support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.  HIV/AIDS is a public health pandemic that must be addressed by social workers globally.  World AIDS Day is an opportunity for you to learn the facts about HIV.  As social workers, we can also show our support for people living... 

The Gender Forum recommendations were released in November 2011, and provide recommendations that are in alignment with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) goals of reducing new HIV infections, increasing access to care and improving health outcomes for people living with HIV, and reducing HIV-related health disparities.  In anticipation of the release of the NHAS, a Forum was convened in June 2010 called “Bringing... 

The first ever bipartisan congressional HIV/AIDS caucus officially launched on September 15, 30 years after the human immunodeficiency virus was first identified. The caucus is led by House members Jim McDermott (D-WA), Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Trent Franks (R-AZ).  Read More →

Monday, June 27th is National HIV Testing Day. Early HIV diagnosis is critical, so people who are infected can fully benefit from available life-saving treatments. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 40 percent of people with HIV are not diagnosed until they already have developed AIDS. For some – that can be up to 10 years after they first became infected with the virus that causes HIV.... 

June 5, 2011 was the 30th anniversary of the first reported case of HIV. On June 15 at 3pm ET, key government leaders will host a webinar/conference call on where the U.S. is with the HIV epidemic and where it is going. To register and learn more information, go to: http://aids.gov/thirty-years-of-aids  Read More →