As noted in other blog posts shared here this week, African Americans continue to experience the most severe burden of HIV, compared with other races and ethnicities in the United States. According to the most recent data from CDC, Blacks represent approximately 14% of the U.S. population, but accounted for an estimated 44% of new…
Highlights of HHS Activities Addressing HIV/AIDS in the African American Community
February 6, 2013 • 3 comments • By Ronald Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
HHS Releases Inventory of Initiatives and Prevention Programs Aimed at Reducing HIV Infections among African Americans
January 16, 2013 • 0 comments • By Ronald Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently released a report [PDF] describing findings of an interagency collaboration to identify, review, and assess the effectiveness of HHS-funded, discretionary initiatives and programs to reduce HIV infections among African Americans. The report describes relevant prevention programs and initiatives, identifies future opportunities, and provides insights that will…
12 Cities Project Evaluation Highlights Impacts on Coordination of HIV/AIDS Services
December 6, 2012 • 0 comments • By Vera Yakovchenko, MPH, Public Health Analyst, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
and Ronald Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
As readers may recall, the 12 Cities Project was undertaken as an element of the HHS National HIV/AIDS Strategy Operational Plan in “an effort to support comprehensive HIV/AIDS planning and cross-agency response in 12 communities hit hard by HIV/AIDS”. The project sought to advance the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) by building on…
Preventing the Flu and Its Complications
December 3, 2012 • 0 comments • By Ronald Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
As daylight hours get shorter and temperatures are falling, we’re not only approaching winter but also flu season. While we can all find ways to enjoy the change of seasons, no one enjoys the flu — a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses spread between people. Seasonal flu is a special concern if you are a person…
Great American Smokeout: An Opportunity for Smokers Living with HIV to Improve their Health
November 14, 2012 • 1 comment • By Ronald Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Across the country, many people are preparing to take an important step to improve their health tomorrow (11/15/2012); they are planning to quit smoking. Why tomorrow? It’s the 37th Great American Smokeout . Organized annually by the American Cancer Society , the observance encourages smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit,…
Working to Address HIV/AIDS in Native American Communities
November 7, 2012 • 1 comment • By Ronald Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
In her statement last week on the observance of National Native American Heritage Month, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius reiterated the Department’s commitment to ensuring the health and well being of all Americans. She highlighted examples of how the Department is working to reduce the health disparities that have burdened American Indians…
New Resource Highlights Innovations in Oral Health Care for People Living with HIV/AIDS
October 17, 2012 • 1 comment • By Ronald Valdiserri, M.D., M.P.H., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases, and Director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
I would like to call your attention to an excellent new resource that can help advance our efforts to improve health outcomes for people living with HIV: “Innovations in Oral Health Care for People Living with HIV/AIDS ,” a special supplement to Public Health Reports (the official journal of the U.S. Public Health Service). This…