Walmart & The Elton John AIDS Foundation Join Forces To Launch Breakthrough — A New Initiative To Help Accelerate the End o...
June 04 2021 - 4:02PM
Business Wire
The three-year engagement will focus on the
southern United States where there is an urgent need for accessible
HIV testing, treatment and education
Today, at the Walmart Associate celebration at the Walmart
AMP, Walmart and the Elton John AIDS Foundation announced
they are joining forces to change the course of HIV in the United
States with the launch of “Breakthrough.” This new initiative aims
to accelerate the end of AIDS in America by increasing access,
education and awareness to safe, convenient HIV testing and
services in the southern United States. The three-year engagement
will begin by expanding access to stigma-free testing in local
communities through testing events, a vital first step at effective
prevention and treatment for people living with the disease, as
well as education and awareness.
“Walmart is committed to helping our customers live better,
healthier lives by making quality, affordable health care
accessible for the communities we serve. The engagement with the
Elton John AIDS Foundation is an important extension of our
mission,” said Lori Flees, SVP and Chief Operating Officer, Walmart
Health & Wellness. “By focusing on southern states, we’ll be
able to advance health equity on a local level by increasing
awareness and access to crucial testing resources for our customers
who have the greatest need.”
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. Further compounding the health crisis, 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.
“America and the world have set a goal to end the AIDS pandemic
by 2030. Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS in the U.S. South must be
addressed if America is to achieve its goal. This is only possible
if no one is left behind. It is wrong that the color of your skin,
your sexuality or your economic status should determine your risk
of HIV. Walmart is part of the fabric of U.S. communities. Working
together, we want to reach into the communities that most badly
need support and help them where they are,” said Anne Aslett, CEO
of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Walmart and the Elton John AIDS Foundation are united in a
mission to increase access to HIV education, testing and resources
and are committed to working towards a future free from AIDS.
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.
About Elton John AIDS Foundation The Elton John AIDS
Foundation was established in 1992 and is one of the leading
independent AIDS organisations in the world. The Foundation’s
mission is simple: an end to the AIDS epidemic. The Elton John AIDS
Foundation is committed to overcome the stigma, discrimination and
neglect that keeps us from ending AIDS. With the mobilisation of
our network of generous supporters and partners, we fund local
experts across four continents to challenge discrimination, prevent
infections and provide treatment as well as influencing governments
to end AIDS.
www.eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org
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Media Contact: Marilee McInnis 800-331-0085
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