National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a reminder of the impact we can have together when every community has access to the testing, prevention and treatment needed. Together we can help end the HIV epidemic for everyone, everywhere.

To celebrate, we talked to Chen Zhang and Veronica Brady about why this day is important to them and their work.

Years as an ANAC member: 3

DEI committee member

In the current profile of the HIV epidemic, women and girls share a disproportionate burden of HIV infections. They are less likely to have protection strategies, but more likely to encounter HIV risk episodes (e.g., forced sex, unprotected sex, partner violence) in their life context. On the other hand, women and girls are less visible in HIV prevention and care profiles compared with other key groups, and they are less likely to engage with available prevention services. Women and girls face unique challenges such as low perceived HIV risk, limited access to healthcare, gender inequality and violence.

I am currently working on research to promote HIV prevention for racial/minority women using an artificial-intelligence-powered chatbot to facilitate PrEP engagement for women at risk of HIV. Many racial/minority women are unaware of their HIV risk or reluctant to discuss HIV risk with their health providers. Chatbots can help them better understand their risk and HIV prevention strategies. National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day can promote HIV risk awareness and strengthen HIV care and prevention strategies among women and girls impacted by HIV/AIDS. In addition, this special day also serves as a great opportunity to reduce discrimination and stigma faced by women and girls affected by HIV/AIDS.

ANAC is like a family to me. Under the hub of ANAC, I have the chance to meet great people who are dedicated to nursing research and nursing care, from leadership in nursing care to pioneers in nursing research. ANAC has provided an inclusive environment for people with various backgrounds. I really enjoy being a member of ANAC.

I can access many different webinars or activities that are organized by ANAC. I can also connect with the network of nursing and healthcare professionals to learn the most cutting-edge research and practices in HIV care, and how HIV care can be delivered and implemented in real-world settings.

Be dedicated, be caring and be inclusive.

Years as an ANAC member: 1

DEI committee member

Houston Gulf Coast Chapter member

This day represents an opportunity to shine a light on the current state of HIV/AIDS among women and girls. It is a day that is set aside to focus on the unique challenges this population faces related to HIV/AIDS. Each year it allows us to see where we are, how far we have come and how far we have to go in the fight to end the HIV epidemic, particularly as it relates to women and girls.

ANAC means a community of nurses and other health professionals joining together in service to those who are living with/affected by HIV/AIDS.

Be patient and learn from those who have gone before you.

The African American women thriving and surviving with HIV/AIDS. Over the last year I have had the opportunity to engage with AA women with HIV. After listening to their stories of tragedy and triumph, as well as being involved in the HIV Think Tank at UT Health - Cizik School of Nursing, I recently applied for funding to conduct research looking at the prevalence of HIV among AA women in Houston, as well as the prevalence of those with comorbid Type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Knowing that AA women are disproportionately affected by both diseases, the objective is to determine that impact of SDOH on self-management behaviors in the presence of these co-occurring diseases.

Interested in becoming an ANAC member? Visit our website to learn more!