We’ve come an incredibly long way since the 1980s and ‘90s in terms of HIV/AIDS detection and treatment, but the disease is far from over. It is estimated that 38 million people worldwide have the virus and that since the early 1980s, 35 million people have died. World AIDS Awareness Day occurs every December 1 to call attention to the continuing global challenges to diagnosis and treatment.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control "There was an increase in PrEP prescriptions from 2019 to 2022, but “severe and widening inequities persist.” The CDC also noted that according to estimates, “94% of White people who could benefit from PrEP have been prescribed it, but only 13% of Black and 24% of Hispanic/Latino people who could benefit” have been prescribed the drug."

Although Black Americans accounted for 42% of new HIV diagnoses in 2022, only 14% of PrEP users were Black, according to AIDSVu, an online map that tracks HIV incidence across the US. Access and barriers are still a leading cause of preventing patients to receive care, treatment and support. However, LifeLong offers a range of services in HIV care, treatment, and prevention. LifeLong’s HIV Care and Prevention team continues to provide services in a healing, trauma-informed and culturally responsive environment. Preventing HIV infections among African American and Latinx people of all genders is a priority.

Today, LifeLong can give rapid HIV test and have results within 20 minutes and confirmation from a blood test in a few days. If someone is HIV negative, we offer PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), which is highly effective at preventing HIV. Recently, we have begun offering injectable treatment (Cabenuva) and PrEP (Apretude) which gives our patients more options and flexibility.

Thanks to better treatments, people are living with HIV. LifeLong provides HIV care and treatment at health centers in Berkeley, Oakland, and Richmond. Your donation gift can truly save a life and can be a one-time gift, a monthly donation, or in honor of someone. Your gift will return in benefits to the individuals and communities we serve for years to come. Thank you in advance for your gift.