HHS Meeting of Lead Federal Departments for the NHAS

Yesterday the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) convened the first meeting of lead Federal departments to discuss the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS). As stated in a Presidential Memorandum released on July 13, 2010, “The Secretary, or the Secretary’s designee, shall be responsible for convening interagency efforts to improve coordination of HIV/AIDS programs and activities.” The NHAS calls on HHS to improve coordination and collaboration within HHS and with other government departments. The lead departments identified in the Presidential memo include the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Social Security Administration. In recognition of the importance of youth as a critical component of a national HIV/AIDS Strategy, HHS invited representatives from the Department of Education to join these discussions.

At the meeting, which Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health, and I co-chaired, more than a dozen representatives across the Federal government provided an overview of their current HIV/AIDS activities. One of the primary goals of the meeting was to discuss how to enhance systems and processes necessary for better coordination of HIV/AIDS work across the Federal government. Over the long-term, better coordination among and across departments allows us to support local efforts that will have a positive impact on people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS.

This group will meet on a regular basis to share information, raise issues, and develop strategies to achieve the important goals of the NHAS.

View a list of representatives from lead Federal agencies (PDF 36KB) responsible for the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.