Commemorating World AIDS Day 2022

This year, on WAD, I had the opportunity to speak with one of our local news stations here in NYC about the tools we have to end the HIV epidemic and how stigma remains a significant barrier.

In addition to stigma, racism, sexism, transphobia, and homophobia continue to contribute to stark inequities in HIV diagnoses.

In NYC, 88% of cis and trans women diagnosed in 2020 were Black and/or Latina and 80% of cis and trans men newly diagnosed in 2020 were Black and/or Latino. Sixty percent of men diagnosed in 2002 were MSM, and of MSM; 80% of newly diagnosed MSM were Black and/or Latino. There is substantial work still to do to the epidemic and this reality hung heavy on my heart as I walked to my HIV clinic that same afternoon, yet, it reminded me of why the work of organizations such as Health Justice is greatly needed.

–Oni