How I Value (HIV) Life is the public policy and advocacy branch of Until There’s A Cure®, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting those living with HIV/AIDS.
Mission Statement
How I Value (HIV) Life is frustrated with the current state of HIV/AIDS today. We want to see a change, but we need help. On our website, we aim to empower and educate people on the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS globally. We hope that our site will inspire you to go out and create change, because we believe one person can make a difference.
Below are two examples of the many issues that surround HIV/AIDS and affect those suffering with it.
Below are two examples of the many issues that surround HIV/AIDS and affect those suffering with it.
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HIV Criminalization:
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California Health and Safety Code 120291 currently states that individuals convicted of HIV non-disclosure with the intent to infect another are imprisoned for three, five, or eight years. The annual cost of incarceration per inmate in California is $47,000. We recommend reducing the prison sentence in order to redirect taxpayer dollars towards a victim restitution fund, in addition to creating court-mandated education for the offenders. By doing so, we aim to destigmatize the disease, encourage behavioral change in those convicted of HIV non-disclosure, and most importantly, provide financial support to the victim.
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Youth Homelessness:
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We aim to introduce changes in public policy that promote safety among homeless youth. California is home to 526,000 homeless adolescents, many of whom are marginalized LGBT individuals and immigrants who have been rejected by their families. Without job skills, members of this population often turn to prostitution to support themselves and seek to escape depression through drug use, both of which increase the risk of HIV infection. To further our impact on these adolescents, we are establishing partnerships with local shelters and have become a recognized supporter of the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act.
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