Avalere, BioStax Corp., Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce, Mercer, Michael Mazzocco Events, mistr, Molecular Testing Labs, Paramount Pictures, Pfizer, and Specialized Occupational Therapy Services LLC are the latest among dozens of companies committing to accelerating progress to end HIV in the U.S. by joining U.S. Business Action to End HIV ahead of National HIV Testing Day (June 27).

Ending the HIV epidemic in the United States once seemed impossible. But today, it’s within reach. We now have access to the most powerful HIV prevention and treatment tools in history. Employers can play a critical role in helping to ensure they reach those who need them the most.

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Taking Action on National HIV Testing Day

‍National HIV Testing Day is a landmark day observed each year on June 27 to raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing and early diagnosis of HIV. Left untreated, HIV can cause serious harm to one’s health, compromising the ability to work and increasing healthcare costs for employers. An estimated one in seven people live with HIV in the U.S. and don’t know it.

To help support companies leverage the urgency of National HIV Testing Day and take action on HIV, the Health Action Alliance has released a playbook designed specifically for employers with six actions you can take to encourage HIV testing, combat stigma and promote a supportive environment.

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In addition, members of the U.S. Business Action to End HIV are leading by example as they ramp up their efforts around National HIV Testing Day.

• Walgreens and Greater Than HIV, a public information initiative of KFF, have joined with hundreds of health departments and community organizations, to provide FREE HIV testing, counseling, and information in more than 440 Walgreens stores across the U.S. and in Puerto Rico on June 27. The Greater Than HIV / Walgreens National HIV Community Partnership launched in 2011 and has provided more than 76,000 free HIV tests to date. 
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• Match Group also worked with KFF’s Greater Than HIV to develop custom messages that will run across dating apps, including BLK and Chispa, to raise awareness about National HIV Testing Day, the importance of HIV testing, and connect users to information about HIV and HIV testing locators.
  
  
• Healthvana is supporting 40 sexual health clinics across the U.S. through marketing and communications campaigns to raise awareness about the free HIV testing they are offering on National HIV Testing Day.
  
  
• Walmart will offer free HIV testing on National HIV Testing Day at select HIV-focused Specialty Pharmacies of the Community locations.

As National HIV Testing Day approaches, consider what steps your organization can take to help employees prioritize and protect their health on June 27 and beyond.

Interested in doing more? Consider joining U.S. Business Action to End HIV, founded in 2022 by the Health Action Alliance, with support from ViiV Healthcare, to enlist employers in the fight to end HIV in the U.S. by 2030. 

By joining the coalition, companies join a community of like-minded organizations who are interested in leveraging their resources and influence to change the trajectory of HIV in the U.S. They also get access to free employer resources - like Ending the HIV Epidemic - A Guide for Employers, communications tools, educational events, training/coaching and technical support for building local public-private partnerships in communities most affected by HIV.

U.S. Business Action to End HIV is excited to have nine distinguished leaders serving on the HIV Leadership Advisory Council, which guides the work of the coalition. They include:

• Megan Canon, Syndemics Manager, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
• Bishar Jenkins Jr., Policy Manager for Community Mobilization and Health Equity, AIDS United
• Taimur Khan, Physician/Associated Medical Research Director, Fenway Health
• Jen Laws, President and CEO, Community Access National Network
• Stephen Lee, Executive Director, National Association of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD)
• Eugene McCray, Retired (Director, Division of HIV Prevention, CDC), Board Chair AIDS United
• Mario Perez, Director, LA County Department of Public Health Division of HIV and STD Programs
• Katie Rutherford, Executive Director, Frannie Peabody Center
• Carl Schmid, Executive Director, HIV + Hepatitis Policy Institute
  
  

These members, who represent a range of sectors, experience and regions, support the coalition and ensure the most current science and best practices inform the priorities of the U.S. Business Action to End HIV.

The growing coalition is developed in partnership with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce with funding from Gilead Sciences and ViiV Healthcare.

To learn more about the U.S. Business Action to End HIV visit healthaction.org/endhiv or email endHIV@healthaction.org.