Denver signed the Paris Declaration Agreement last year, making it one of only four cities in the U.S. to commit to a global effort to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030. Less than a year later, it achieved the first major milestone — 90 percent of those living with HIV in Denver now know their status.
The announcement was made this week at the 21st International AIDS conference in Durban, South Africa. Denver, San Francisco, Amsterdam, Paris and Kyiv all published the data demonstrating the achievement of that first milestone.
"Denver has one of the most comprehensive and progressive programs that supports those living with HIV," said Mayor Michael B. Hancock in a press release. "This achievement demonstrates how the collaborative work of all of our partners has contributed to achieving this important milestone."
The Paris Declaration Agreement launched on World AIDS Day in 2014 and provided specific target points for eradicating the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Denver’s achieved the first target. The next requires that 90 percent of HIV positive individuals receive treatment, followed by a target of 90 percent viral suppression in those receiving treatment. Stigma eradication is an ongoing effort.
Denver’s office of HIV Resources, HIV Planning Council and Department of Public Health said they plan to continue expanding HIV care and offering more testing and prevention services with the help of federal funding. City officials expect to achieve the third milestone by 2017.
For information on Denver’s resources for those living with HIV/AIDS, visit www.denvergov.org/deh.
To learn more about Denver’s progress toward ending HIV/AIDS, visit https://fast-trackcities.org/denver.html.
Multimedia business & healthcare reporter Chloe Aiello can be reached via email at [email protected] or twitter.com/chlobo_ilo.
Subscribe to Denverite’s newsletter here.
