President Obama Speaks At World Aids Day Event

World AIDS Day is held the first day of December each year as an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.

The World AIDs Day web site provides these statistics about the disease.

More than 90,000 people are currently living with HIV in the UK and globally an estimated 33.3 million people have HIV. More than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007 have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. Today, many scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. But despite this, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

Speaking today at George Washington University President Obama told a crowd (that included the likes of Alicia Keyes and Bono, who performed at the event): “The rate of new infections may be going down elsewhere, but it’s not going down in America. The infection rate here has been holding steady for over a decade. There are communities in this country being devastated by this disease. When new infections among young, black, gay men increase by nearly fifty percent in three years, we need to do more to show them that their lives matter. When Latinos are dying sooner than other groups; when black women feel forgotten even though they account for most of the new cases among women, we need to do more.”

Since AIDS was identified 30 years ago, the United States has played a leading role in achieving scientific progress, and in translating science into programs. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), established by President George W. Bush and a bipartisan Congress and expanded by President Obama, has put that science into action to save the lives of millions in the developing world. Today, President Obama announced new prevention goals for PEPFAR and more funding for the cure and treatment of the disease.

Tweeted former LA Laker, Magic Johnson, living with HIV for more than twenty years:

Thank you to @BarackObama who announced today increased funding on HIV treatment in the US & abroad.

The president has instituted a World AIDS Day Proclamation. Read it here.

A draped pink ribbon adorns the White House in honor of World AIDS day.

Several events to mark the occasion are being planned across the country. Events in our region to honor the day include a free screening of the movie “The Other City” (a film by former BET owner, now Wizards co-owner, Dr. Sheila Johnson) will be shown at Inova Alexandria Hospital.

The web site DCTakesOnHIV.com has information on where to get free condoms and how to anonymously tell someone in 4 easy steps they may have been exposed to an STD.

On representative Steny Hoyer's web site a search engine is provided to locate various HIV/AIDS services via zip code.

When talking about HIV/AIDs in the DC community, which ranks highest of any major city, you can't forget to mention radio show personality, Darian Morgan (aka Big Tigger). His tireless effort to bring AIDs awareness to the DC metro area under the mantra 'Know Your Status, Get Tested' has brought together businesses, professional atheletes and city officials in support of the cause. His two profiled events, the former Big Tigger Classic, a three-day summer weekend sports themed event with professional athletes from the NFL and the NBA, actors and celebrities, and his annual Ride For Life motorcylcle ride through Prince Georges County, MD have both provided awareness to the DC area's young and adult communities.

In wake of the Zika virus, travel, spring break still O.K.

Representatives from the CDC and the NIH were on hand at the White House during Monday's press briefing to update the public and address concerns over the Zika virus that has caused some babies to be born with deformities. Dr. Anne Schuchat from the Centers for Disease Control and Dr. Tony Fauci from the National Institutes of Health told reporters that a vaccine is in the making. The pair also said they are particulary concerned about women who are pregnant, or plan to get pregnant, who have either traveled to or plan to travel to areas of South America and the Carribean known to have the Zika virus. Despite those bold statements, the doctors said there is no wide-spread concern and that Americans should continue to travel, including during upcoming college spring breaks -- when college students travel to warmer climate destinations to escape winter weather. "Travel to Zika-affected areas is very common among Americans, and we don’t think that needs to stop...

Congressional Black Caucus Week Tackles Tough Issues: Among Them Youth Unemployment and Education

Congressional members convene at today's Congressional Black Caucus Town Hall Meeting. Photo/CD Brown Mark your calendars to attend this year's Congressional Black Caucus events at the Washington Convention Center. This year's theme Vision, Journey, Mission will address many topics concerning Americans including jobs and education (especially for youth), and economic advancement. In today's Town Hall meeting titled 'Educating Our Way To Prosperity' members on the panel that included Congressman Elijah Cummings, Representative Dianne Watson (D-CA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), and author of The Other Wes Moore talked about educating youth for green jobs, and to think entrepreneurial instead working for someone else. "We must develop entrepreneurial opportunities", said Fattah. "In many cultures it's a common discussion to educate youth to think about starting a business." Congressman Elijah Cummings who sits on the Joint Economic ...

President Obama Meets Muslim Leaders

from the White House press office. THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2015 Readout of the President’s Meeting with American Muslim Leaders The President this afternoon met with American Muslim leaders to discuss a range of domestic and foreign policy issues. The President thanked the participants for their work in a variety of fields and for coming together to offer views on issues of importance to their communities, noting that his regular interactions with different faith communities provided him with valuable insights and feedback. Among the topics of discussion were the community’s efforts and partnerships with the Administration on a range of domestic issues such as the Affordable Care Act, issues of anti-Muslim violence and discrimination, the 21 st Century Policing Task Force, and the upcoming White House Summit on Countering Violence Extremism. The President reiterated his Administr...

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