October 26, 2023

October Action Report

This month we are excited to announce several new members, as well as share details about programs we’ve been developing to give companies further opportunities to deepen engagement in HIV - by launching our first chapter in Atlanta, and hosting events in November for ERG leaders and HR & Benefit managers. Check out details below, as well as more great stories of impact!

Action from Members

Welcome new members: CLYDE, Diagonal Media, equalityMD, Excision BioTherapeutics, Inc., LetsGetChecked and Thirty Madison
In August, BLK, a dating and lifestyle app for the Black community from Match Group, collaborated with TogetherTakeMeHome to inform users about at-home HIV testing options. They sent a push notification to 3.2 million users. Among the 416,000 who received the message, an impressive 6.06% tapped on it, exceeding the standard 5% benchmark. This single push notification resulted in almost 3,000 orders, leading to the shipment of over 5,000 free HIV self-test kits across the U.S. BLK's campaign achieved the second-highest number of orders among all the app partners, with an impressive 11% conversion rate. The data also revealed the notification's exceptional effectiveness in reaching Black women.

The results are in from the 2023 Greater Than HIV / Walgreens National HIV Community Partnership (NHCP). This year’s activation had the highest number of participating Walgreens stores since the partnership began in 2011. On June 27, 267 health departments and community-based organizations offered free HIV testing in 443 Walgreens stores in 273 cities, 36 states, plus DC and Puerto Rico. Collectively, they provided free 5,186 rapid HIV tests and had 18,500+ one-on-one interactions with individuals in stores that day. Testing partners also made referrals to PrEP and HIV care, some offered Hepatitis C testing and distributed HIV self-tests, and together handed out tens of thousands of informational materials on the latest on prevention and treatment. This initiative continues to be a model public-private partnership that increases education, reduces stigma by putting HIV testing in non-traditional settings, and directly connects individuals with HIV services.

On World AIDS Day 2022, Healthvana launched a nationwide study to assess whether a digital watch can help individuals with PrEP adherence, using medication reminders, ongoing education, appointment reminders, and overall health engagement. The study, in partnership with AIDS Healthcare Foundation, provided 500 watches to individuals disproportionately impacted by HIV in five U.S. cities with high HIV incidence. Early data shows that 2 in 3 patients who were provided a watch returned for their next PrEP refill visit, which is a higher return rate than the clinic’s average. These results support Healthvana’s goal of the project - to demonstrate innovative, technology-driven, and cost-effective ways to increase PrEP initiation and adherence.
Watch and Share New HIV Documentary: Human First is a short documentary focused on six remarkable humans and their lived experience with HIV stigma, who also speak to the resilient and innovative nature of affected communities across six Fast-Track Cities. These stories reflect the real world impact of HIV stigma on communities living with and affected by HIV and the groundbreaking work being done to reduce HIV-related stigma across the Fast-Track Cities Network. The film is presented by IAPAC and Fast Track Cities Institute, with funding by ViiV Healthcare.

Action from the Coalition

Today the coalition launches the first local chapter in Atlanta - the epicenter of our nation’s HIV epidemic. Together with local public health and business leaders we will examine the HIV epidemic and discuss ways the private sector can accelerate the local response. We are thrilled to announce that OUT Georgia Business Alliance, an affiliate chamber of NGLCC, will be the local managing partner and help lead the initiative. We look forward to working with the community to build out this regional coalition and create a model of engagement and innovation that can be replicated in other cities with high HIV incidence.

Oct 26 Atlanta Business Action to End HIV

Coalition Director Mario Harper attended the hlth Conference in Las Vegas Oct 8-11 with the Health Action Alliance leadership team. HAA was proud to be an Innovation Partner of #hlth2023 and hosted a conversation about the loneliness epidemic and the case for inclusive belonging at work on the main stage. It was great seeing members Healthvana and Molecular Testing Labs at the conference and recruiting many new companies to join the coalition.

Opportunities for Action

Please share these upcoming events with your ERG and HR colleagues!

Uniting ERGs to End HIV, November 2, 2-3pm ET, (Virtual) - REGISTER
The Role of HR & Benefits Leaders in Ending HIV, November 8, 2-3pm ET, (Virtual) - REGISTER

We are also excited to invite coalition members and our HIV Leadership Advisory Council to Washington, DC for our annual in-person coalition meeting, as well as a special reception to honor World AIDS Day. Please see details below, and lookout for formal invitations arriving by email.

Annual Coalition Meeting, November 30, 1:30-3:30pm ET, Barbara Jordan Conference Room, KFF, 1330 G St. NW, Washington DC - RSVP‍
REMEMBER & COMMIT: World AIDS Day 2023 Reception, November 30, 5-7pm ET, Top of the Hay, Hay Adams Hotel, 800 16th Ave. NW, Washington DC - RSVP‍
On the eve of the 35th anniversary of World AIDS Day, U.S. Business Action to End HIV is pleased to invite you to pay tribute to those lost to HIV/AIDS, commemorate the first year of impact of the coalition, and recommit to meaningful actions that accelerate progress toward an end of HIV in the U.S. Honored Guests include Dr. Anthony Fauci and White House Director of National AIDS Policy Harold Phillips.

Dr. Anthony Fauci

Harold Phillips

Given space limitations, up to two representatives from each coalition company are invited to attend. If you'd like to request additional invitations for your team, please reach out to caroline@healthaction.org. Thank you!

REMINDER - Commemorate World AIDS Day (December 1) - World AIDS Day is an opportunity to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for people living with HIV, and commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Here are a few suggestions for how your company can honor World AIDS Day this year:
Let employees know your company cares about HIV/AIDS. Consider scheduling internal messages leading up to December 1 through team newsletters, internal communications channels, or hang flyers sharing your company’s commitment. You can adapt our sample CEO letter for your specific workplace.
Identify a local public health official or HIV/AIDS service organization who can participate as a guest speaker for a team or Employee Resource Group “lunch and learn” session to help provide culturally responsive information about HIV to your members.
Plan a team or ERG off-site to volunteer at a local organization, paint a mural that honors those lost to AIDS, or get tested for HIV as a group. Making it a group activity can foster support and create community around the experience.

HIV in the News

Action Spotlight

This month we are pleased to introduce you to another member of our HIV Leadership Advisory Council:

Dr. Stephen Lee
‍Executive Director,
NASTAD

Dr. Stephen Lee is the executive director of NASTAD. Stephen oversees all NASTAD programs – Health Care Access, Prevention, Hepatitis, Drug User Health, Health Equity, Policy & Legislative Affairs, and Health Systems Integration – as well as NASTAD’s overall operations. Stephen has deep expertise in program and organizational management, and his experience as a physician brings a practical perspective with regard to policy and program implementation.

How do you hope to see U.S. Business Action to End HIV and coalition members contributing toward ending HIV in the U.S.?

Currently we have the prevention and treatment tools to end the HIV epidemic in the United States. But to achieve this goal requires an all of society response that includes the federal government, philanthropy, businesses and corporations, and community partners. The role of business can be both internal and external. For example internally businesses can ensure their employees have access to comprehensive health coverage that includes HIV prevention and treatment services and/or they can promote stigma reduction by embedding non-discriminatory language and action in their employee guides. Externally business can partner with national organizations, local public health departments and community partners to fill gaps, and complement or supplement existing and new innovative services.

Why have you personally decided to dedicate yourself to working on HIV?

I first made the commitment to working as a HIV primary care doctor when I was in medical school in the early 1990s. I saw many young black gay and bisexual men being diagnosed with and then dying from HIV related complications. I knew I wanted to not only provide care and treatment to patients but to also ensure that all who needed care had access to comprehensive services. As my career evolved I have focused more on the racial disparities, policy, financing and structural health system facilitators and barriers that impact our ability to end the epidemic.

Thank you for your commitment and leadership. Let's keep up the momentum!