Gilead Sciences, a renowned pharmaceutical company recognized for its pioneering therapies in areas such as HIV, liver disease, and cancer, is unveiling its deeper commitment to a mission that extends beyond medicinal innovation. This commitment, at the core of Gilead’s ethos, revolves around promoting health equity.
Over the years, Gilead has strategically and courageously directed its efforts towards communities with the most pressing unmet needs. Notably, the company places a particular emphasis on the well-being of women and girls, with a spotlight on Black women and girls. This commitment is not merely professional but deeply personal, as expressed by Gilead’s General Counsel, who is both a Black woman and a leader within the biopharmaceutical industry.
The imperative of addressing health disparities among Black women and girls was at the forefront during the recent U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS (USCHA), the largest gathering of its kind in the United States. The conference’s theme, “A Love Letter to Black Women,” reflects both a heartfelt sentiment and a promise to focus on a community disproportionately affected by HIV.
Statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention underscore the urgency of this focus, revealing that Black women account for 54% of new HIV diagnoses among women aged 16 and older, despite comprising only 14% of the population. However, due to challenges like stigma, medical mistrust, and limited access to trial study sites, Black women and girls have historically been underrepresented in HIV clinical trials.
USCHA provided a platform for candid discussions on the multifaceted barriers—social, political, educational, and environmental—that negatively impact the Black community. The conference also showcased innovative approaches to address unmet needs in HIV prevention, education, and care. Gilead’s ongoing collaboration with organizations worldwide dedicated to this cause received renewed support during this event, emphasizing the company’s longstanding commitment to expanding health equity and addressing care barriers.
In 2022, Gilead earned recognition as the world’s leading philanthropic funder of HIV-related causes. Additionally, the company continues to make significant investments in Black women’s health and leadership. Since 2017, over $35 million in philanthropic support has been extended to Black women-led and Black women-serving organizations in the United States. Notably, the Setting the P.A.C.E. initiative, launched in June, commits $10 million over three years to bolster HIV prevention, health equity, and anti-stigma efforts for both cisgender and transgender Black women and girls.
Gilead is resolutely dedicated to ensuring the representation of underrepresented individuals in its HIV clinical trial research. The PURPOSE trials, initiated in 2021, explore the use of therapies to reduce HIV acquisition risk. Among these trials, PURPOSE 1, conducted in South Africa and Uganda, focuses on adolescent girls and young women, marking the first Phase III HIV trial to include pregnant and lactating women and people.
Working at Gilead, known for its commitment to advancing health equity, is a source of pride. The USCHA event brought together a multitude of like-minded individuals who are passionate about addressing the unique needs of Black women and girls. The theme of a “love letter” felt inclusive and personally resonant.
As we reflect on the lessons from the conference, a well-known saying comes to mind: “When you know better, you do better.” The conversations and insights gleaned from this gathering hold the promise of a brighter future. The time is ripe to invest in the health of Black women and to work collectively to end the HIV epidemic, benefiting all, everywhere.
