Houston, TX – June 26, 2024 – The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Health Action Alliance (HAA), is proud to announce the launch of the Houston chapter of U.S. Business Action to End HIV — a coalition of private-sector organizations committed to accelerating progress to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S. by 2030.

Despite significant advances in HIV prevention and treatment, services are not equally reaching those with greatest need. Over 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV, with nearly 35,000new infections each year. Houston, home to 7.4 million people, ranks ninth in the nation for new HIV diagnoses and has lower rates of people remaining in HIV care and achieving viral suppression compared to the rest of the country.

Black Americans, Latinos, and youth and young adults ages 13-24 are disproportionately impacted by HIV in Houston. Lack of affordable housing, transportation, stigma, structural racism, and other barriers to accessing health care continue to drive these disparities.

Houston Business Action to End HIV aims to harness the influence, reach, and resources of Houston’s robust corporate community to combat high rates of HIV incidence and fill gaps in public health delivery. Through employer engagement and innovative partnerships, the chapter will coordinate its response with public health experts and community advisers. Major companies like Chevron, Walmart, and Mercer have already signed on to the local initiative.

"Houston Business Action to End HIV is designed to build bridges between the local business community and public health leaders,” said Mario Harper, Director of U.S. Business Action to End HIV at HAA. “By fostering collaboration, we aim to address Houston’s HIV challenges more effectively and increase private sector involvement."

The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce will manage the chapter locally, ensuring it meets the needs of the Houston community. By engaging major employers and LGBTQ+-owned and LGBTQ+-friendly businesses in the local HIV response, the Chamber has a unique opportunity to serve as a catalyst for change in the fight against HIV by leveraging their cultural competence, community connections, and commitment to inclusivity and empowerment.

The chapter will focus on educating corporate and small business leaders, cultivating trust and partnerships with stakeholders from communities directly impacted by HIV, and formalizing the commitments made by local businesses to combat HIV in Houston and the surrounding region.

"We are thrilled to launch the Houston chapter of U.S. Business Action to End HIV,” said Tammi Wallace, Co-Founder, President & CEO, Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce. “This initiative marks a significant step forward in mobilizing the business community to address the HIV crisis in the Houston region. By bringing together business, public health stakeholders and community organizations, the goal is to engage companies as powerful allies in the fight against HIV.”

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Key Initiatives of the Houston Business Action to End HIV:

• Corporate Engagement: Increase the number of companies in Houston recognizing HIV as a health equity priority.
• HIV Education and Awareness: Implement workplace HIV education programs to raise awareness and reduce stigma.
• Health Benefits and Workplace Policies: Help businesses develop inclusive workplace policies and offer health benefits that include HIV prevention and treatment services.
• Innovative Services: Foster innovative partnerships and solutions that close gaps in healthcare delivery.
• Community Support: Support local communities and public health organizations in a coordinated response to local HIV challenges.

HAA provides free resources, tools, and events to assist employers in educating their workforce, combating stigma, enhancing access to HIV prevention and treatment services, and establishing connections with communities in need.

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Example of Public-Private Partnerships for National HIV Testing Day:

Thursday marks National HIV Testing Day and Walgreens, together with KFF’s Greater Than HIV, will be displaying the impact of public-private partnerships as they team up with health departments and community organizations for the 14th year to offer free rapid HIV testing in more than 550 Walgreens stores on June 27 in the largest coordinated National HIV Testing Day event to date. The activation includes 12 testing activations at Walgreens stores across Houston in partnership with local organizations AAMA HIV Core Program, Allies in Hope, Avenue 360 Health and Wellness, Change Happens, FLAS Inc., Harris Health System, Legacy Community Health Centers, Spring Branch Community Health Center, The Montrose Center, and The Truth Project HTX. HIV rapid test manufacturers including Abbott Laboratories, BioLytical Laboratories, ChemBio Diagnostics, and OraSure Technologies donated tests to support this year’s effort. A list of participating Walgreens stores and hours when free HIV and STD testing will be offered is available here; no appointment needed.

“The U.S. business sector is a critical partner in efforts to both create and advance strategies that promote health and well-being across our communities,” says Marlene McNeese, Houston Health Department Deputy Assistant Director in the Bureau of HIV/STI and Viral Hepatitis Prevention. “We are thrilled to work closely with the Health Action Alliance, the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, and companies here in Houston to strengthen their engagement in our local HIV response.”

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Joining the Houston Chapter

Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce invites local businesses of all sizes to join this critical effort. By participating, companies can significantly contribute to the health and well-being of their employees and the Greater Houston community.

For more information about how to get involved, please contact endhiv@healthaction.org or visit www.houstonLGBTchamber.com/endhiv to join. The first meeting of the Houston chapter will be held on Wednesday, September 25.

Houston Chapter Graphic:

About the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
‍The Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to accelerating economic advancement and equality for the LGBTQ+ community. Through advocacy, education, and partnership, the Chamber works to create a thriving, inclusive business environment in the Greater Houston area. Learn more at houstonlgbtqchamber.com

About U.S. Business Action to End HIV
‍U.S. Business Action to End HIV was founded in 2022 by the Health Action Alliance, with support from ViiV Healthcare, to mobilize a growing coalition of private sector partners committed to filling gaps and accelerating progress to help end HIV in the U.S. by 2030.

About the Health Action Alliance
‍Health Action Alliance is the country’s largest employer network operating at the intersection of business and public health. Our mission is to support business leaders who are driven to optimize the human experience of every employee, improve workforce resilience, and build stronger, healthier communities. Learn more at healthaction.org.

Contact:

Ryan Wilson
Director of Corporate Relations
Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
(410) 459-4670 cell
ryan.wilson@houstonlgbtchamber.com

Caroline Jackson
Director, U.S. Business Action to End HIV
Health Action Alliance
caroline@healthaction.org

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