For press inquries please contact Kenyon Farrow, PJM Communications Coordinator at 917.627.0853, or kfarrow@champnetwork.org.

Press Release, December 3:

Atlanta, Tuesday 12/4, 4:45 pm

As News of Up to 50% Increase in U.S. HIV Emerges,
Hundreds to March to “Shine a Light” on HIV Prevention Gaps

People with HIV, community leaders and researchers unite at National HIV Prevention Conference
to call for “prevention justice” urging recognition that HIV/AIDS is “proof positive of injustice.”

March begins at 4:45, Hardy Ivy Park (across from Hyatt), ends with rally at Woodruff Park, 51 Peachtree St. NE

Atlanta, GA – Literally spotlighting gaps in HIV prevention policy, hundreds of people wearing bright white “unity sashes” will join a vocal, flash-lit march led off by giant interlocking puzzle pieces to show the components of a truly comprehensive and effective HIV prevention policy. The Unity for HIV Prevention Justice Rally and March on December 4th in Atlanta, GA will encircle the National HIV Prevention Conference (NHPC), culminating a month of activities across the country based on principles endorsed by individuals and organizations from 38 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

CDC is expected to announce a much higher estimate of annual HIV infection in the United States that may be as high at 60,000 people, rather than the 40,000 figure used for over a decade. As Unity March organizer Julie Davids of Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project (CHAMP) explained in the New York Times on Sunday, “We don’t know whether infection rates are rising or they’ve just been higher than we thought... But either way, this shows that prevention efforts are insufficient.”

Download the full Press Release

Press Release and Backgrounder, November 29:

Estimate may change from 40,000 to at least 55,000 new infections per year in U.S.

Urging CDC to release new count, the Prevention Justice Mobilization calls on all political leaders, public health officials and electoral candidates to adopt comprehensive strategies to confront the inequities at the root of the complex HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Download the full Press Release and Backgrounder

Download CDC documents reference in article:

Dear Colleague Letter on incidence estimate

Journal of Med Virology article citing 40,000-55,000 incidence range

Interim Strategic Plan on HIV Prevention

DOWNLOAD List of Experts / Spokespeople for Press

Backgrounders and Fact Sheets for Press

Funding & HIV Prevention Fact Sheet

HIV Prevention Research Backgrounder

Women of Color, Violence & HIV Risk Fact Sheet

National Women & AIDS Collective (NWAC) Backgrounder

Key Sources on HIV/AIDS in the United States

Absintence-Only Education Briefing

The Financial Health of AIDS Service Organizations in the United States, 2001-2007"

Press Teleconference, November 27: Click here for MP3 Link including:

As Methods of Measuring HIV Incidence Have Changed Global Estimates, A New United States Estimate is the Horizon
Monica Ruiz, Ph.D., M.P.H., Acting Director for Public Policy at amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research.

The Politics and Funding of HIV Prevention
David Munar, Associate Director, AIDS Foundation of Chicago

It's Not Only What You Do, It's Also Who You Are: HIV/AIDS in the Black Community - Higher Rates with Less "Risky Acts.
Mark McLaurin, National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition

Taxpayer-funded Misinformation: Perspectives on Abstinence-Only Education from the Frontlines of HIV Prevention
Nathan Schaefer, Director of Policy and Education, AIDS Task Force of Greater Cleveland

Download the PJM Launch Press Release.

Recently published or aired stories about or mentioning the Prevention Justice Mobilization or CHAMP:

Tennessean. "Inadequate Data, Tests Hinder Fight Against Deadly Virus." January 4, 2007.

Workers World. "Spread of HIV/AIDS: 'Proof positive of injustive.'" December 13, 2007.

EDGE Boston:"Atlanta AIDS Convention Includes Criticism from Within, Outside." December 7, 2007.

Gay City News: "CDC Struggles with Infections Estimate." December 7, 2007.

Housing Works Update: "Prevention Convention." December 7, 2007.

Southern Voice: "HIV Researchers Warn All Clear Hasn't Sounded." December 7, 2007.

Bay Area Reporter: "Atlantans March for HIV." December 6, 2007.

Associated Press: "Groups Say HIV Rate Being Revised Upward." December 3, 2007.

WBAI's OutFM, "Interview about PJM, CDC Incidence." December 3, 2007.

Bloomberg: "HIV Study's '08 Release Date Riles Activists." December 2, 2007.

New York Times: "Figures on HIV Rate Expected to Rise." December 1, 2007.

Bloomberg: "Annual HIV Infection Estimate to Rise in Report, Activists Say." December 1, 2007.

Washington Post/Seatlle Times/Houston Chronicle: "Estimates of AIDS Cases Rise in the U.S" December 1, 2007.

Making Contact (radio show): "The Color of AIDS: Bringing Risk Up-to-Date." Begins airing across the globe week of November 26, 2007.

Southern Voice: "Ending the Epidemic." November 23, 2007.

Southern Voice: "Groups Ban Together for Prevention Justice." November 9, 2007.

Local events:

Associated Press: "AIDS Activists Protest at White House, Call for New Policies" November 30, 2007.

Providence Phoenix: "Activist Tales: Cleve Jones offers a model of labor-LGBT solidarity" November 7, 2007.

The Examiner: "District Residents March for AIDS Awareness" November 5, 2007.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Kenyon Farrow
PJM Communications Coordinator
kfarrow@champnetwork.org

917.627.0853