Walmart Recognizes World AIDS Day by Renewing Its Commitment To Changing the Course of HIV in the United States
November 30 2021 - 1:32PM
Business Wire
As part of Walmart’s mission to provide accessible and
affordable, human-centered care while improving health equity and
outcomes, the company has renewed its commitment on helping
eradicate HIV/AIDS through education, access to testing and
partnerships to raise awareness of available resources.
The United States has set a goal to end the AIDS pandemic by
2030. This June 5, the world marked 40 years since the first five
cases of what later became known as AIDS were officially reported
and at least 32 million lives were lost. Today, on World AIDS Day,
Walmart is part of the solution to addressing the health inequities
of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and supporting solutions to change the
course of HIV in the United States.
“Walmart is committed to providing affordable access to care
that is human-centered and makes real progress to address
inequities in health care,” said Dr. John Wigneswaran, Walmart’s
chief medical officer. “For patients with HIV and populations at
greatest risk, Walmart can play an important role in understanding
each individual and the unique challenges they face, and our
pharmacists play an important role in the treatment paradigm,
especially for patients with HIV who may be on a complex medication
regimen. We are dedicated to optimizing health by designing
best-in-class clinical programs addressing each step of the
patient’s health care journey.”
As part of this renewed commitment, Walmart has launched a
community centered specialty pharmacy strategy building centers of
clinical excellence in specific diseases. The first three centers,
referred to individually as Specialty Pharmacy of the Community,
provide customers with highly specialized pharmacy teams trained in
HIV/AIDS medications, clinical services to recognize potential
medication-related side effects and assistance to understand the
unique needs of people living with HIV/AIDS. These centers will
help with all aspects of care, including industry leading clinical
programs, pharmacy services provided by HIV-trained pharmacists,
enhanced care coordination, healthy lifestyle recommendations and
finding emotional support services from our Community Health
Workers.
Today, the AIDS epidemic disproportionately impacts communities
of color, especially in the South, where people are more likely to
be diagnosed with HIV over the course of their lifetime than
Americans living in other parts of the country. The epidemic also
has a significant impact on the LGBTQ+ population, with half of
Black gay men and a quarter of Latino gay men projected to be
diagnosed with HIV within their lifetime. There are currently
250,000 people in the U.S. southern region who are living with HIV
but lack access to treatment, indicating an urgent need for HIV
testing, education, prevention, and resources in the area.
Walmart and the Elton John AIDS Foundation announced in June
that the organizations were working together to help accelerate the
end of AIDS in America. On Dec. 1, the teams will host testing
events for the third time, joining forces with AIDS Healthcare
Foundation and Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition to provide free HIV
testing along with education materials and resources during four
parking lot testing events at Walmart locations in Atlanta. The
events will focus on expanding access to testing in local
communities, a vital first step at effective prevention and
treatment for people living with HIV.
Walmart also announced, in November, the launch of the Elton
John Eyewear, a new line of stylish, accessible eyewear, at both
Sam’s Club and Walmart locations. The launch of Elton John Eyewear
also furthers Walmart’s support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s
mission. Walmart Inc. will donate a minimum of $1 million annually
from the Elton John Eyewear collection to support the Elton John
AIDS Foundation to increase HIV education and awareness and
encourage individuals to take the first steps toward a healthier
future.
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save
money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores,
online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately
220 million customers and members visit approximately 10,500 stores
and clubs under 48 banners in 24 countries and eCommerce websites.
With fiscal year 2021 revenue of $559 billion, Walmart employs 2.2
million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in
sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity.
Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting
https://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at
https://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at
https://twitter.com/walmart.
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