WASHINGTON (July 19, 2016)–Howard University observes National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day (NCHATAD) on Thursday, July 21, an event initiated nine years ago to strengthen the HIV clinical workforce.

Each year, Howard’s medical professionals continue to advocate for all clinicians to increase their knowledge of, and commitment to, the work of eradicating HIV/AIDS within their communities by providing stigma-free, culturally competent quality HIV care.

“Howard University College of Medicine’s AIDS Education Training Centers have worked as part of a national collaborative network of clinicians and other experts providing capacity-building assistance and related support to improve HIV/AIDS primary care services for racial and ethnic minorities including African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Native Hawaiian as well as, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and Alaska Natives,” said, Goulda Downer, Ph.D., assistant professor, Howard University College of Medicine, and director for this event. “Thanks to Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), retired congresswoman Donna Christiansen (D-VI), and members of the Congressional Black Caucus, the multi-agency effort has made a profound, positive impact on our most at-risk and vulnerable populations,” she added.

Since the observance began in 2007, Congresswoman Waters, ranking member of the Financial Services Committee and a leading advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention, testing and treatment, has supported Howard in this endeavor and has introduced resolutions in Congress in honor of National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day. 

“National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day is an opportunity to highlight the important role that doctors, nurses, dentists and other clinicians play in HIV/AIDS awareness, testing, and treatment efforts,” said Congresswoman Waters. “It is also an opportunity to encourage clinicians to promote HIV testing among their patients.”  

This year, H. Res. 832 urges physicians, nurses, dentists and other clinicians to become actively involved in HIV/AIDS awareness, testing, treatment and referral services.  It also urges individuals to get tested for HIV and educate themselves about the prevention and treatment of the disease. Congresswoman Waters continues to support efforts to expand the Minority AIDS Initiative, which she established as chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus in 1998. 

“More than 1.2 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in the United States today, and almost one in eight do not know they are infected.  By encouraging their patients to be tested for HIV, doctors and nurses can enable infected individuals to access appropriate medical care and begin taking action to avoid spreading the virus to others,” she stated.

On Thursday, clinicians can demonstrate both the ease and importance of routine testing for HIV/AIDS while simultaneously helping to reduce the stigma associated with the disease.  On this day, we encourage all clinicians and HIV providers to:

1. Set the example by taking an HIV test themselves, demonstrating (a) how simple and non-intrusive HIV testing can be, and thereby (b) helping to increase the number of clinicians offering HIV testing.
2. Become more engaged in ongoing dialog regarding strategies for identifying and overcoming region-specific stigma, and providing the best culturally appropriate, clinical care to all persons with HIV/AIDS.
3. Willingly mentor low volume clinicians (i.e. clinicians treating fewer than 25 patients in their case load who are HIV positive) so that they become more proficient in providing quality care.
4. Visit Howard University College of Medicine's Telehealth AIDS Education Training Core http://capitolregiontelehealth.org/  and avail yourself to any of the CME approved, self-paced training modules there.
5. Browse www.AIDS.gov  to find locations near you that offer HIV testing  and help link patients to care.

Howard University College of Medicine understands that a committed clinical workforce is key to the four main goals of the updated National HIV Strategy as we look ahead to 2020. With a stellar workforce we can meet the four goals, which are to (a) reduce new infections (b) increase access to, and outcomes of care for people living with HIV (c) and reduce HIV-related health disparities and inequities; and (d) achieve a more coordinated national response. 

For more information, please visit: http://www.capitolregiontelehealth.org/