The Legacy Project

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The Legacy Project

The Legacy Project works nationally to address factors that influence participation of traditionally underrepresented communities in HIV prevention and treatment clinical research through engagement, education, and scientific investigation. The Legacy Project works to cultivate partnership and relationship development among the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)-funded HIV clinical research networks, community-based organizations and affiliates engaged in HIV prevention and treatment, while ensuring a commitment to capacity building for communities and populations most impacted by the United States HIV epidemic.

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Legacy Project Vision & Mission

Vision
The Legacy Project envisions accurately informed communities actively engaged in clinical research with culturally sensitive research environments and processes.

Mission
The Legacy Project’s mission is to build trust and collaboration between historically underrepresented communities most impacted by the domestic HIV epidemic, researchers, and research institutions; enhance cultural competence; and initiate scientific investigation to increase clinical research participation.

The Impact of HIV in the U.S.

While HIV incidence was relatively stable among MSM (men who have sex with men) overall, new
HIV infections among black MSM aged 13 to 29 increased
48 percent.

CDC’s new estimates show that Blacks bear the greatest burden of HIV. While Blacks represent approximately 14 percent of the total U.S. population, Blacks accounted for 44 percent of all new HIV infections in 2009. The

HIV infection rate among Blacks in 2009 was almost eight times as high as that of whites.

Black women are more affected by HIV than women of other races, accounting for 57 percent of all new HIV infections among women in 2009. The HIV infection rate among black women was 15 times that of white women.

Hispanics represent approximately 16 percent of the total U.S. population, but accounted for 20 percent of all new HIV infections in 2009. The HIV infection rate among Hispanics in 2009 was three times as high as that of whites. Hispanic men accounted for 79 percent of new HIV infections among Hispanics in 2009.

The HIV infection rate among Hispanic women in 2009 was more than four times that of white women.

Working Groups and Committees

The Legacy Project’s activities will be guided by a Legacy Project Working Group and managed by Legacy Project leadership. An external group of advisors will provide periodic review of the scientific direction and review of Legacy Project activities and focus.