Legacy Community Health released a citywide roadmap for ending the HIV epidemic in the Houston area, which has the highest rate of the virus statewide. The goal of the roadmap is to cut all new HIV cases in half over five years.

 

The most recent data from the Houston Health Department show 22,000 Houstonians are living with HIV. The African-American, Latino, and LGBT communities are hit the hardest. The HIV rate among young men under age 24 is rising. 

 

The report, "Roadmap to Ending HIV in Houston," provides both visionary and concrete steps that health care providers, policy makers, and the public can take toward reducing new cases from 1,200 to 600 per year. It outlines more than 30 recommendations for treatment and prevention. Read more about the report, its creation, and next steps at   endHIVHouston.org.

Legacy ended 2016 with three events focusing on its HIV/AIDS programs:

Holiday Schmooze
December 7
Schmooze event photos

Hosted by Henry Richardson and Monsour Taghdisi, Greggory and Pat Burk, Steve Summers and Glen Gonzalez, and Becca and John Thrash, the annual "Party with a Purpose" benefits HIV/AIDS programming. 

World AIDS Day
December 1
WAD event photos

This year's ceremony included the presentation of the L. Joel Martinez Award to Steven Vargas for his significant contributions to the HIV/AIDS community. 

The OH Project Reception
November 17
OH Reception photos

Founded by community activist Tori Williams and Harris County archivist Sarah Jackson, the OH Project collects the first-person accounts of people affected by the early days of Houston's AIDS epidemic. Legacy is one of the founding sponsors.