California-based biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences has announced grants totaling $12.6 million to 19 organizations working to improve the HIV landscape for Black women and girls in the United States.

The grants are part of Gilead’s three-year Setting the P.A.C.E. (Prevention, Arts and Advocacy, Community, Education) initiative focused on increasing HIV prevention, anti-stigma, and health equity efforts for Black cisgender and transgender women and girls, who are disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Recipients include California Black Women’s Health Project (Inglewood); the Black Women’s Learning Institute (New York City), Transinclusive Group (Pembroke Pines, Florida); and Baltimore Safe Haven (Maryland).

According to Gilead, in 2021, Black women accounted for 53 percent of new HIV diagnoses among women aged 16 and older in the U.S., despite comprising only 14 percent of the women living in the country. In addition, 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.

“Gilead’s support enables us to form collaborative partnerships and programs to help end the disparities in HIV awareness, prevention, and care,” said Ribbon co-executive director Linda H. Scruggs. “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.”

For a complete list of recipients, visit the Gilead Sciences website.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Digital Skillet)