Responding to HIV and AIDS

Named the “single greatest reversal in human development” in modern times, the HIV and AIDS crisis has claimed more than 25 million lives. Tremendous advances have been made, but much more remains to be done.

In 2009, the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) adopted the ELCA Strategy on HIV and AIDS, which calls on the ELCA to respond faithfully and effectively to this pandemic.

The following pages contain helpful information and links to resources that will support your efforts to engage in ministry and action, and promote healing and wholeness in the church, society and world.

In the United States, the number of new cases of HIV among women 50 years of age and older has been increasing at an alarming rate. This is a population well represented within our organization and denomination, and among our friends and family. Women of the ELCA's new short program, Women over 50 and HIV/AIDS: Starting the Conversation, addresses the need for people over 50 to know how to protect themselves, to know how to talk about HIV and AIDS, and to help their neighbors know how to protect themselves.

Women of the ELCA supports the education of all about HIV and AIDS and supports advocacy for universal access to effective treatment. Our Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls initiative also is concerned with matters such as mother-to-child infection and the need for girls, as well as women over 50, to learn how to protect themselves from HIV infection not only in our church and nation but globally.

ELCA Strategy on HIV and AIDS	The Vulnerability of Women	Getting Tested and Living Well with HIV	Involve Your Women's Group & Congregation	Global Efforts in the Fight Against HIV
The ELCA believes a world is possible where new cases of HIV are prevented and all individuals living with HIV or AIDS are able to live with dignity. More	Women face unique vulnerabilities in preventing HIV infection but also have unique capacities that can contribute to HIV prevention efforts. More	The only sure way to know you are HIV negative is to be tested. And if you're HIV positive, you can still feel healthy for years through excellent self-care and antiretroviral drugs. More	Actively work to reduce the stigma of HIV and AIDS, and welcome, support and advocate with individuals affected by the virus or the disease. More	33.2 million people are living with HIV and AIDS worldwide. 2.1 million people died from AIDS in 2007. 72 percent of them were in sub-Saharan Africa. More

“The church’s ministry of caring is a grateful response to God’s caring for us. The undeserved love of God announced for all in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is our reason for standing with our neighbor in need…In the same way we are called to “be Christs” for all in our midst who suffer and are ill. Our calling summons us to compassion for, acceptance of, and service with people affected by AIDS both within and outside of our congregations.”

From the ELCA’s 1988 message, “AIDS and the Church’s Ministry of Caring”