Gilead Set to Donate $12.6 Million In Funding for HIV Prevention for Black Cisgender, Transgender Women

Black women and girls are disproportionally affected by HIV, according to 2021 CDC data. In 2021, more than 2 times the number of Black women and girls aged 13 years and older received an HIV diagnosis compared to women who are White (3,545 and 1,522, respectively); that same year, Black women and girls accounted for 53% of all new diagnoses among women.¹

Gilead Sciences recently announced that they are launching a 3-year initiative called Setting the P.A.C.E. (Prevention, Arts and Advocacy, Community, Education), which will fund efforts to increase HIV prevention, reduce stigma, and promote health equity for US Black cisgender and transgender women and girls, according to a recent Gilead press release. As part of this initiative, Gilead will give $12.6 million in grant funding to organizations promoting these efforts.²

Pharmacists can address SDOH by recommending screening for at-risk patients, recommending effective medication options for HIV treatment and prophylaxis, providing judgement-free medication counseling, and closely monitoring patients. Image Credit: © jarun011 - stock.adobe.com

“Gilead’s Setting the P.A.C.E. initiative will help empower organizations to expand custom programs tailored toward fighting stigma and expanding access to HIV care in their communities,” said Deborah H. Telman, executive vice president, Corporate Affairs and General Counsel, Gilead Sciences, in the press release.

Despite there being a 7% reduction in HIV diagnoses between 2017 to 2021,1 there are still certain groups of people that are at higher risk of HIV diagnosis, with Black Transgender women having the greatest risk. Moreso, Black Transgender women are most at risk of not receiving a diagnosis or treatment. These treatment gaps are worsened by a shortage of culturally relevant HIV prevention education and care services.²

“Our focus on the intersection of Black cisgender and Transgender women in relation to HIV is not just about addressing an unmet need, it's about rewriting narratives and changing destinies,” said Linda H. Scruggs, co-executive director, Ribbon, in the press release.

Setting the P.A.C.E is meant to empower local organizations to expand programs that tackle stigma and promote access to care, Telman said in the press release. These organizations can reduce health inequities by increasing efforts in HIV prevention— this can take the form of providing culturally-responsive HIV training. These organizations can also use arts and advocacyto address stigma, as well as create community and educational programs to engage with target audiences.

Over 75% of the organizations who will receive grant funding are led by Black women, but 100% of the money will serve organizations and programs that are either led or co-led by Black women, Gilead writes. Funded programs are purposefully located in states that have the highest number of Black women living with HIV (Maryland, California, Georgia, New York, Florida, Tennessee, Washington D.C, Louisiana).

“Gilead’s Setting the P.A.C.E. grant marks a pivotal moment for Ribbon and the communities we serve across the nation,” Scruggs said in the press release.

REFERENCES

1. HIV Diagnoses. CDC. Last Reviewed June 26, 2023. Accessed on February 29, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/racialethnic/other-races/diagnoses.html

2. Gilead Announces Funding Initiative to Support HIV Prevention, Anti-Stigma and Health Equity Efforts for Black Cisgender and Transgender Women and Girls in the U.S. Gilead. News Release. February 27, 2024. Accessed on February 29, 2024. https://www.gilead.com/news-and-press/press-room/press-releases/2024/2/gilead-announces-funding-initiative-to-support-hiv-prevention-antistigma-and-health-equity-efforts-for-black-cisgender-and-transgender-women-and-gir