Austin proclaims National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS; city highlights local HIV diagnosis rates

Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes presented a proclamation recognizing National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS and thanked faith and community partners involved in local HIV awareness and support work.

Fuentes read a list of partner organizations that have supported outreach, including several local Black churches and community groups. "Faith and community leaders have long been at the forefront of this fight," she said.

Pastor Quentin of the Diagnosed Church accepted the proclamation on behalf of those present. The proclamation cited national and local data, noting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's estimate that approximately 31,800 people acquired HIV in the United States in 2022. It also referenced Austin Public Health and Travis County figures that the city recorded 215 new HIV diagnoses in 2023, with 140 among Hispanic/Latino residents and 34 among Black/African American residents.

The proclamation text emphasized that longstanding social and economic disparities drive health inequities affecting Black and Hispanic/Latino communities and highlighted the Planning Collaborative Group's work with churches to reduce stigma and promote testing. It noted that in 2024 more than 300 individuals attended activities supported by seven community partners.

Council members and public-health staff framed the proclamation as recognition of ongoing outreach and an encouragement for continued, faith-based and community-led efforts in testing, destigmatization and care coordination. No new local funding or policy changes were announced at the ceremony.