released the National HIV AIDS Strategy.

The Strategy is the nation’s first

comprehensive, coordinated approach

to reducing the number of new

HIV infections;

increasing access to care;

and improving outcomes for

people living with HIV, and

reducing HIV-related health disparities.

The President has committed to a

National HIV/AIDS Strategy that is

“grounded in the best science,”

which now tells us that early treatment is

better for the individual’s health; and

treatment can also reduce the risk of HIV

transmission by as much as 96%

so treatment is also prevention.

Since the Strategy was launched,

there have been many new

scientific and policy developments that

are helping us to move forward.

These include a deeper understanding

about how people living with HIV in the

U.S. are accessing care and how that

care affects their long-term health.

Of the more than one million

Americans with HIV:

only 82% know they are infected.

That means 18% are unaware

of their infection.

That’s more than 200,000 people.

66% were linked to HIV care

37% have stayed in care

33% are receiving treatment

and only 25% have the virus effectively

controlled, which is necessary to maintain

long-term health and reduces the risk of

transmission to others.

The ultimate goal of HIV care is to

suppress viral load. But, only 1 in 4

people living with HIV makes it all the

way through the care continuum to

achieve that goal.

Our challenge is that not all people living

with HIV are getting the full

benefits of treatment.

In light of these new developments,

today the President issued a new

Executive Order directing Federal

agencies that implement the Strategy to:

accelerate efforts to increase HIV testing

enhance linkage and engagement

in care, and improve treatment outcomes.

These actions will help us reduce the

drop-offs along the HIV care continuum,

and help us meet the goals of

the Strategy.

And by meeting the goals of the Strategy,

people living with HIV will live longer,

healthier lives.

As a person living with HIV,

I understand these challenges.

There’s no simple solution, but

we can use this opportunity to do better.

To feel better. And, to live better.

Together we will identify opportunities to

address gaps and barriers, and improve

outcomes along the HIV care continuum.

This initiative will engage

the Federal government,

researchers,

providers,

and living with HIV and others

to work together to accomplish the goals

of the Strategy.

We have to keep pushing. We have to

make access to health care more

available, and affordable for folks

living with HIV. We have to implement the

protections in the Affordable Care Act.

Each of us has an important role in

national efforts to improve the

HIV care continuum.

Each of us can help to make the 1 in 4,

4 in 4.