Yesterday, the 2012 International AIDS Conference (“Turning the Tide Together”) began here in DC. According to the International AIDS Society, the Conference is:

… the premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV, as well as policy makers, persons living with HIV and other individuals committed to ending the pandemic. It is a chance to assess where we are, evaluate recent scientific developments and lessons learnt, and collectively chart a course forward. [...]

By acting decisively on recent scientific advances in HIV treatment and biomedical prevention, the momentum for a cure, and the continuing evidence of the ability to scale-up key interventions in the most-needed settings, we now have the potential to end the HIV epidemic.

Reflecting on the conference’s return to the United States and the District for the first time in twenty-two years, Councilmember David Catania (chair of DC’s Committee on Health) writes in the Washington Post:

“Turning the Tide Together” resonates with our shared experience of HIV/AIDS. Only since we began to view the epidemic as a real threat to us all — black and white, gay and straight, young and old — have we taken the steps together to turn the corner on this deadly disease. [...]

This spirit of collaboration — the recognition that people of dramatically different backgrounds are similarly threatened by the disease — and an emphasis on spreading knowledge are essential components of the District’s effective response and will ensure AIDS2012 is a success.

In that spirit, learn about Catalogue nonprofits Metro TeenAIDS (works to prevent the spread of HIV, promote responsible decision-making, and improve the quality of life for those affected by HIV/AIDS) and Building Futures: Family AIDS Housing (offers safe and affordable housing options for families and individuals with multiple disabilities; preference is given to those with HIV/AIDS). A complete list of our health-focused nonprofits is right here.