This content originally appeared on hiv.gov. View the full article here.

August 17th, 2020- To support the efforts of local partners to end the HIV epidemic in their communities, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is announcing the launch of a new tool, AHEAD: America’s HIV Epidemic Analysis Dashboard. This tool will empower local stakeholders to track progress towards the goals of the Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America (EHE) initiative.

Responding to HIV has required a diverse coalition of stakeholders to bring their knowledge and unique skills to the table. HIV advocates, researchers, healthcare professionals, people living with HIV, and people impacted by HIV have worked together to address the epidemic. Over the last few years, annual new infections have stalled at an estimated 38,000. Currently, there are more than 1.2 million Americans living with HIV in the U.S.

Using data to inform and focus our efforts on ending new HIV transmissions is essential as we look to better understand the communities living with HIV and those at risk. Data will aid in our effort to develop community-informed and scientifically based interventions and approaches to help us reach our goals.

This launch of AHEAD includes national and jurisdictional data on the six EHE indicators: IncidenceKnowledge of StatusDiagnosesLinkage to HIV Medical CareViral Suppression, and PrEP Coverage. As the dashboard develops, it will allow national, state, and local stakeholders to monitor progress towards meeting the goals of the EHE.

This tool is an asset that provides the most up-to-date information available about EHE, including data, progress, and updates highlighting innovative approaches. The launch of the dashboard to track EHE progress aims to bolster communities by providing decision-support capabilities to get ahead of the epidemic at the local level. It will inform jurisdictional and national leaders on EHE efforts and promote transparency in data sharing and progress towards our collective goal of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030.

We now have the right data, the right tools, and the right leadership to end the HIV epidemic. We have proven models of effective HIV care and prevention, including antiretroviral therapy and HIV prevention medications such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The time is now to end this epidemic.

Visit the AHEAD dashboard here.

Learn more about the CHIPTS EHE projects here.