National AIDS Strategy Comments
November 23, 2009

NATIONAL BLACK WOMEN’S CONVERSATION ON HIV/AIDS:
Strengthening the Voice and Leadership of Black Women in AIDS Policy

This statement is submitted to the Inter-Agency Coordinating Committee on the National HIV/AIDS Strategy on behalf of Black women, who comprise 66% of new HIV cases among all women. We are pleased that the Obama Administration is committed to developing a National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) that will provide a results-oriented roadmap and strengthen national commitment to real and sustained success in the battle against HIV/AIDS. We believe, however, that this strategy will not be complete without the inclusion of a plan to address the serious epidemic among the population of African American women, where HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for those in the age group of 25-34.