sfaf.org
Knowledge is power
out this responsibility with comprehen-
With a changing economic land-
sive outreach that delivered information
scape, seminal scientific and epide-
in myriad ways to different audiences.
miologic discoveries, and the promise
We produced two HIVision public fo-
of new national leadership, the need
rums that enriched local conversation
to communicate clear and accurate
about HIV: “What’s Going On: HIV and
HIV information grows exponentially.
Black Gay Men” and “Abuse and Trau-
The Foundation is troubled to know
ma: Lessons for HIV Prevention and
that even in San Francisco, one in
Care.” Designed to bring research and
four people living with HIV does not
evidence to bear on timely policy and
know it, frustrating prevention efforts
programmatic issues, HIVision provides
and keeping these individuals from
a safe venue to engage the community
the benefits of appropriate health
on potentially controversial topics.
care. Though the Bay Area has a rep-
niversary of BETA, the Bulletin of Ex-
best-informed regions for HIV/AIDS
perimental Treatments for AIDS. One
prevention and care, the San Fran-
of the leading publications to review
cisco AIDS Foundation maintains that
and disseminate research on ground-
making available accurate, accessi-
breaking HIV treatments, BETA and its
ble information about HIV and AIDS is
Spanish-language
as
among its most important functions.
BETA en español added to their pages
developments in HIV prevention, invaccines, and pre-exposure prophylaxis. Heard online The sfaf.org podcast built on its pioneering reputation with its first full year of coverage, investigating current topics in HIV prevention, clinical practice, and policy. Routinely appearing as a “top ten” HIV/ AIDS resource on web searches, the
SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION • 2008 Annual Report
Congresswoman Barbara Lee.
tion from the nation’s universities, the
awareness into the streets on World
San Francisco Department of Public
AIDS Day, December 1, with hundreds
Health, and, in a series produced at
of volunteers mobilized at the city’s
the International AIDS Conference,
transit hubs as human billboards, de-
The
Foundation
brought
HIV
livering simple messages about HIV all over the world. Our World AIDS Day campaign was welcomed enthusiastically by Bay Area commuters and led to greater visibility around the region, including a substantial increase in traffic to the Foundation’s websites where accurate and detailed information can be found.
sister-publication
cluding research into microbicides,
10
welcomed
The year marked the 20th an-
utation for being among the world’s
This year, the Foundation carried
podcast
guests researchers in HIV preven-
Duane Cramer Because of the mystery surrounding my father’s death in 1986, AIDS always occupies a unique place in my mind. To counter any silence, I do whatever I can to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. The Foundation asked me to moderate “What’s Going On: HIV and Black Gay Men,” a public forum reviewing current research that examines why HIV and AIDS still disproportionately affect the Black population. All night,
it was clear that not enough attention, not enough dollars, and not enough publicity are directed towards finding effective strategies for the community that continues to be the most devastated by HIV in the country. Folks from every sector—researchers, community people, CBO and public health people—came out to learn how to fine-tune current prevention strategies or implement new ones that are more effective. It’s time for a heightened sense of urgency. We cannot afford to move slowly or keep anyone from participating in this conversation. If community involvement isn’t happening, it needs to happen. And not behind closed doors.
SAN SANFRANCISCO FRANCISCOAIDS AIDSFOUNDATION FOUNDATION••2008 2008Annual AnnualReport Report
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