Gilead Announces Funding Initiative to Support HIV Prevention, Anti-Stigma and Health Equity Efforts for Black Cisgender and Transgender Women and Girls in the U.S.

Rhea-AI Summary

Gilead Sciences, Inc. announces $12.6 million grant funding for 19 organizations to improve HIV landscape for Black women and girls in the U.S. as part of Setting the P.A.C.E. initiative. The grants aim to increase HIV prevention, anti-stigma efforts, and health equity for Black cisgender and Transgender women and girls disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic.

Insights

Public Health Expert

Investments in public health initiatives, such as the Setting the P.A.C.E. initiative by Gilead Sciences, can have far-reaching implications for community health outcomes. The targeted approach to address HIV in Black cisgender and Transgender women and girls is crucial, given the disproportionate impact of HIV on these populations. The allocation of funds towards culturally-responsive care and the empowerment of Black-led organizations can lead to improved health literacy and access to care, potentially reducing new HIV diagnoses and improving treatment adherence.

From a public health perspective, the initiative could act as a catalyst for change in communities where stigma and lack of resources have historically hindered effective HIV prevention and treatment. By prioritizing the intersection of race, gender and health, Gilead is acknowledging and addressing systemic health disparities that contribute to the spread of HIV. The success of such programs can serve as a model for other public health interventions aiming to reduce health inequities.

Market Research Analyst

From a market perspective, Gilead Sciences' commitment to health equity through the Setting the P.A.C.E. initiative can positively influence the company's brand reputation and corporate social responsibility profile. By directing a significant portion of the grant to Black women-led organizations, Gilead is positioning itself as a leader in diversity and inclusion, which may resonate with socially conscious investors and consumers.

Moreover, the initiative may indirectly support Gilead's business objectives by fostering a more inclusive health system that could lead to increased utilization of HIV treatments, including those offered by Gilead. This strategy of aligning business interests with community support could enhance Gilead's competitive edge in the pharmaceutical industry, particularly within the HIV treatment market.

Healthcare Policy Analyst

The Setting the P.A.C.E. initiative represents an important intersection of healthcare policy and corporate social investment. By focusing on systemic disparities, Gilead is effectively participating in the broader policy conversation about health equity. This initiative may prompt policymakers to consider additional funding and support for HIV prevention and treatment programs, especially for marginalized populations.

Additionally, the initiative's alignment with states that have higher numbers of Black women living with HIV suggests a strategic approach to maximizing impact where it is most needed. This can inform future healthcare policies by providing a blueprint for targeted interventions and could stimulate further public-private partnerships to address public health challenges.

– 19 Organizations Will Receive a Total of $12.6 Million in Grant Funding Through Gilead’s Setting the P.A.C.E. Initiative –

FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: GILD) today announced it is providing a total of $12.6 million in grant funding to 19 organizations working to improve the HIV landscape for Black women and girls in the United States. These grants are a part of Gilead’s new Setting the P.A.C.E. (Prevention, Arts and Advocacy, Community, Education) initiative, a three-year commitment toward increasing HIV prevention, anti-stigma and health equity efforts for Black cisgender and Transgender women and girls, who are disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic.

In 2021, Black women accounted for 53% of new HIV diagnoses among women aged 16 and older in the United States, despite comprising only 14% of the women living in the country. Additionally, Black Transgender women have the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses among Transgender people and are more likely to go undiagnosed and untreated in comparison to their peers. These inequities are exacerbated by significant gaps in the delivery of effective and culturally relevant HIV prevention information and care services for Black women and girls.

“By taking a strategic, community-centered approach to address systemic disparities and improve overall health outcomes, Gilead continues its commitment to advancing health equity for Black cisgender and Transgender women and girls in the U.S. who continue to be disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic,” said Deborah H. Telman, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and General Counsel, Gilead Sciences. “Gilead’s Setting the P.A.C.E. initiative will help empower organizations to expand custom programs tailored toward fighting stigma and expanding access to HIV care in their communities.”

Through this investment, Setting the P.A.C.E. grantee organizations will develop and support a variety of impactful projects to help improve health outcomes for Black women and girls, from expanding programs that provide culturally-responsive HIV care training, to leveraging arts and media to engage local communities and address stigma. Importantly, more than 75% of the organizations selected for grants are led by Black women and every funding allocation is directed toward initiatives led or co-led by Black women. Additionally, the states in which programming will be implemented align with states that have higher numbers of Black women living with HIV.

“Gilead’s Setting the P.A.C.E. grant marks a pivotal moment for Ribbon and the communities we serve across the nation,” said Linda H. Scruggs, Co-Executive Director, Ribbon. “Gilead’s support enables us to form collaborative partnerships and programs to help end the disparities in HIV awareness, prevention and care. Our focus on the intersection of Black cisgender and Transgender women in relation to HIV is not just about addressing an unmet need, it's about rewriting narratives and changing destinies. Ribbon is dedicated to creating a future where access to HIV education and resources is a right, not a privilege, and where every person, regardless of their identity, can live a life of health, dignity and opportunity.”

The 19 Gilead Setting the P.A.C.E. grantees are:

• A New Way of Life Reentry Project (Los Angeles, California)
• AIDS United (Washington, D.C.)
• Baltimore Safe Haven (Baltimore, Maryland)
• California Black Women’s Health Project (Inglewood, California)
• Dancing Grounds (New Orleans, Louisiana)
• Foundations for Living Incorporated (Jefferson, Georgia)
• Howard University (Washington, D.C.)
• National Association of Black Social Workers (Washington, D.C.)
• Power Safe Place Resource Center of Virginia (Front Royal, Virginia)
• Ribbon, Inc. (Largo, Maryland)
• San Francisco Community Health Center (San Francisco, California)
• SisterLove, Inc. (Atlanta, Georgia)
• SLK Health Services Corporation (Lanham, Maryland)
• The Black Women’s Learning Institute (BWLI) at NDRI-USA, Inc. (New York, New York)
• Transinclusive Group (Pembroke Pines, Florida)
• Triumphant Together (Kissimmee, Florida)
• Unspoken Treasure Society (Gainesville, Florida)
• Waco Theater Center (Hollywood, California)
• WeCareTn (Memphis, Tennessee)

Gilead’s Setting the P.A.C.E. initiative aims to empower local organizations to address ongoing health inequities in care and treatment through four key programmatic areas: HIV prevention, arts and advocacy, community and education. The program builds on Gilead’s longstanding commitment toward investing in Black women’s health and leadership through philanthropy. In addition to this new funding, the company has provided more than $35.8 million in philanthropic support for Black women-led and/or Black women-serving organizations in the United States since 2017. More than $28 million of those investments were granted to organizations working to help end the HIV epidemic.

About Gilead Sciences

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, Calif.

Gilead and the Gilead logo are trademarks of Gilead Sciences, Inc., or its related companies.

For more information about Gilead, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com, follow Gilead on X/Twitter (@Gilead Sciences) and LinkedIn (@Gilead-Sciences).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240227849231/en/

Jacquie Ross, Investors

Investor_relations@gilead.com

Meaghan Smith, Media

Public_affairs@gilead.com

Source: Gilead Sciences, Inc.

FAQ

What is the purpose of Gilead's Setting the P.A.C.E. initiative?

Gilead's Setting the P.A.C.E. initiative aims to increase HIV prevention, anti-stigma efforts, and health equity for Black cisgender and Transgender women and girls disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic.

How much grant funding is Gilead providing through the initiative?

Gilead is providing a total of $12.6 million in grant funding to 19 organizations as part of the Setting the P.A.C.E. initiative.

Who are the primary beneficiaries of the grant funding?

The grant funding is targeted towards Black cisgender and Transgender women and girls in the United States who are disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic.

What percentage of new HIV diagnoses among women in the U.S. were accounted for by Black women in 2021?

Black women accounted for 53% of new HIV diagnoses among women aged 16 and older in the United States in 2021.

What type of projects will the grantee organizations develop with the funding?

The grantee organizations will develop projects to improve health outcomes for Black women and girls, such as expanding culturally-responsive HIV care training programs and using arts and media to address stigma.