CDC Media Statement from Dr. Redfield on Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America

“I’m excited that CDC is part of this unprecedented opportunity to end the HIV epidemic in America. The Administration’s plan will deploy the people and key prevention and treatment strategies needed to reduce new HIV infections by 75 percent over the next 5 years, with the hope of a 90 percent reduction within 10 years.

We have the tools to end new HIV infections in this Nation, but they must be applied now. The most recent data suggest that progress in reducing new infections has plateaued, and many communities remain vulnerable to HIV infection. Under this proposed initiative, we will focus on four key strategies to meet the needs of communities with the highest HIV burden: diagnose new HIV infections; treat those with infection rapidly and effectively; protect people from being infected through access to comprehensive prevention and treatment, including medications that can prevent infection; and respond quickly to and stop new outbreaks. To accomplish this, we will accelerate our work with state and local health departments. We will establish HIV elimination teams—for ‘boots-on-the-ground’ support—to ensure communities with the greatest burden make progress. We will listen to people living with HIV, and to public health partners in the most-affected communities, so we reach those in greatest need.

CDC is proud to have been part of the fight to prevent HIV from the very beginning, and we are honored to continue to work with our HHS colleagues on this important initiative. I thank the President and Secretary Azar for their visionary leadership in seizing this opportunity. The time to end the HIV epidemic is now. I have always believed in seeing the possible. Embracing the possible, we will do it together.”

–Robert R. Redfield, MD, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

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