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TRENTON, NJ – The Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Department of Health announced today 32 public members appointed to the Advisory Council on HIV, STIs, and Viral Hepatitis. The Advisory Council is responsible for coordinating initiatives designed to address the HIV epidemic, the rising cases of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and viral hepatitis, and the risks of contracting such diseases through injection drug use.

“Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ remains steadfast in our commitment to ending the HIV epidemic and reducing the impact of co-occurring conditions,” said Acting Commissioner Jeff Brown. “This Advisory Council represents our unwavering dedication to culturally responsive and evidence-based public health strategies to address these health challenges. It is a powerful coalition of voices bringing together diverse perspectives and experiences with a shared commitment to reducing new infections, expanding access to testing, and promoting care linkages.”

The Advisory Council on HIV, STIs, and Viral Hepatitis repurposes and updates the Governor’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS and Related Blood Borne Pathogens with a broader mission to address these pressing communicable disease threats to public health with specific attention to their disproportionate impact on Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ’s Black, Hispanic, Latino, and LGBTQIA+ communities.

The Advisory Council’s main purposes are to:

• Coordinate efforts among public and private health care agencies and providers, community-based organizations, and other strategic partners to promote public awareness and education on the prevention and treatment of HIV, STIs, and viral hepatitis and how to access related services in Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ;
• Identify or develop opportunities or strategies that may be used to mitigate the HIV epidemic, STIs, and viral hepatitis, including, but not limited to, efforts to implement the Strategic Plan to End the HIV Epidemic in Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ by 2025 and A Framework for Viral Hepatitis Elimination in Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ 2022; and
• Recommend policies, projects, programs, initiatives, or services designed to improve health outcomes and reduce health outcome disparities, including efforts to address systemic inequities affecting HIV, STI, and viral hepatitis health care. 

The Advisory Council is chaired by the Commissioner of the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Department of Health (or designee) and consists of senior officials from across state government whose responsibilities are crucial to supporting public health. This includes representation from the Department of Health, Department of Corrections, Department of Human Services, Department of Banking and Insurance, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives.

The Commissioner of Health appoints at least 25 public members – including public health care professionals, policy experts, social and direct care organization representatives, advocates, and individuals who have lived experience with HIV, STDs, or viral hepatitis – to serve on the Advisory Council.

The current appointed Public Members are:

The Senate President and Assembly Speaker are each responsible for recommending two members of their Legislative bodies. Current appointed members from the Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Legislature include:

• Senator Renee C. Burgess
• Senator Joseph F. Vitale
• Assemblywoman Nancy F. Muñoz
• Assemblywoman Lisa Swain

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The Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ Department of Health is a nationally accredited health department working to ensure that all Ó£»¨ÊÓƵans live long, healthy lives and reach their fullest potential. With more than 5,500 employees, the Department serves to protect the public’s health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in Ó£»¨ÊÓƵ.  

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