AHF to Mark 10 Years In Fight Against AIDS in D.C.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF):

Since, 2009 AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world’s largest, non-profit, HIV/AIDS service organization, has been in the District of Columbia, serving as a leading non-profit agency in the fight against AIDS. On Thursday, April 18^th, AHF will be joined by community leaders, HIV advocates and dignitaries from across D.C. for a community celebration at its facility located at 2141 K Street, NW, to pay tribute to the tremendous impact the agency has had in the last 10 years in the local fight against AIDS, as well as officially re-open its newly expanded healthcare center, housed at this location. In 2009, AHF initially opened the AHF Blair Underwood Healthcare Center at K Street, to address the growing rate of new HIV diagnosis throughout D.C. The facility was named in honor of actor Blair Underwood when the facility first opened, given his outspoken advocacy for HIV prevention and medical care and services both here in the U.S. and in Africa.

Over the agency’s 10-year history in D.C. as it continued to address the growing needs of the local community and connecting with those populations most impacted by the current HIV/AIDS epidemic, AHF has expanded its presence to have a satellite office with a wellness center in D.C.’s northeast corridor on Benning Road and in the Temple Hills community. Under the leadership of renowned internist and infectious disease specialist, Dr. Roxanne Cox-Iyamu, who currently serves as AHF Medical Director for the area, the agency continues to expand its services and outreach, currently providing direct HIV care to over 1,000 individuals in the D.C. community living with HIV, many who are uninsured and rely on AHF’s commitment to providing care to all regardless of their ability to pay. In addition to the 3 healthcare centers, AHF also has a public affairs office near the U.S. Capitol that helps coordinate the agency’s leading advocacy initiatives on behalf of the over one million individuals living with HIV across the U.S. Over the three decades of AHF’s legacy, through its advocacy initiatives, the agency has been a leading voice around many critical issues, including increased access to HIV and STD prevention and testing; medical care and treatment for those living with HIV; the fight, against increases in prescription drug pricing, gentrification of communities and preservation and development of affordable housing.

“AHF is proud of the impact that we’ve had over the past decade in addressing the growing HIV epidemic in D.C., and getting those living with HIV connected and sustained in care,” stated Michel McVicker, AHF D.C. Regional Director. “Through our expansion in services we will continue our commitment to being a cutting-edge medical provider in the D.C. community as well as a strong voice for all those impacted by this epidemic that plagues our community locally and across the nation.”

Facts about HIV in Washington, D.C.: (According to the D.C. Department of Health)

• The Washington, D.C. area ranks 17^th in the nation with newly reported cases of HIV diagnosis
• 2% of the population of D.C. are living with HIV
• The highest proportion of new HIV diagnosis were Black men who have sex with men

About AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 1,000,000 individuals in 43 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website: www.aidshealth.org, find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/aidshealth and follow us on Twitter: @aidshealthcare and Instagram: @aidshealthcare

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190418005470/en/

MEDIA CONTACTS:
WASHINGTON:
Imara Canady, National Director, Communications, AHF
954-952-0258 - cell
[email protected]

NATIONAL:
Ged Kenslea, Senior Director, Communications, AHF
+1.323.308.1833 work
+1.323.791.5526 cell
[email protected]