The city’s Ending the Epidemic Task Force has asked the public for any input they are willing to provide in regards to a draft community report as of today. With World AIDS Day approaching, this draft is the product of a year-long planning process that involved more than 120 stakeholders, all who are interested in the goal of ending the HIV epidemic in Nashville.
The task force was first formed in April 2018 by Mayor David Briley in conjunction with both the Metro Public Health Department and community stakeholders. The draft plan includes recommendations to collectively improve access to care and services for the approximately 4,000 Nashvillians who are living with HIV.
The draft also highlights ways in which prevention strategies can be used in order to eliminate future infections in Tennessee. These strategies include but are not limited to action steps that will raise awareness, reduce stigma, and improve care and support for those living with HIV.
Nashville is not the only city focused on this monumentally important issue. All over the country, similar task forces and initiatives are working to offer better healthcare and education surrounding HIV. Nashville, for example, is participating in a cohort of other southern jurisdictions that have been given support from Treatment Action Group and the Southern AIDS Coalition.
“We have an obligation to make sure everyone has the information about and the access they need to preventive and treatment services for HIV,” said Mayor Briley. “I am grateful to each and every person who has committed their time and expertise to the planning process over the past year. I encourage everyone else in Nashville to participate in the review process for this true community plan.”
The draft report can be downloaded at Health.Nashville.gov. The community has been asked to offer feedback and will be able to do so through December 31. The final report will be approved by the Task Force in early 2019.
