AIDS Free Pittsburgh outlines prevention strategy; commission votes to formally collaborate on two events

AIDS Free Pittsburgh presented an overview of its work in Allegheny County and its plans to expand policy and advocacy partnerships, and the City of Pittsburgh LGBTQIA+ Commission voted to formally collaborate on two upcoming events.

At the July 20 meeting, Kel Wilkinson, project manager for Pittsburgh at AIDS Free Pittsburgh, introduced the group and turned the presentation over to colleagues Hazel Lazier and Jay (last name not recorded). Hazel Lazier described the group’s origins and structure: “AIDS Free Pittsburgh, we started 12/01/2015.” Lazier said the initiative uses a collective-impact model that brings government, health systems and community organizations together and supports shared data, coordinated programs, and regular communication among partners.

“AIDS Free Pittsburgh is a public health movement to end the HIV epidemic in Allegheny County,” Lazier said, explaining the group’s mission and governance, which includes an advisory committee, an executive committee, a community advisory and action board, and subcommittees for prevention and care, data and evaluation, outreach, and policy and…