Gilead unveils $6 million HIV and viral hepatitis initiative for Australian and Canadian indigenous communities

The initiative will support programs addressing societal barriers to care that persistently contribute to the transmission of HIV and viral hepatitis within Indigenous communities.

Gilead is in discussions with two Indigenous-led organizations, the Lowitja Institute in Australia and CAAN Communities, Alliances & Networks in Canada, to create the new $6 million USD grant program.

The grant program will provide financial support to frontline organizations, with funding divided equally between the two countries and invested over three years.

According to Gilead, this program is a targeted effort to help address the disparities in health outcomes impacting Indigenous communities, resulting from the ongoing effects of colonialization in each country.

In comparison to non-Indigenous people in each country, Indigenous Peoples in Australia and Canada experience a higher incidence of HIV and viral hepatitis infections and increased barriers to diagnosis and treatment.

Alex Kalomparis, senior vice president, public affairs, Gilead Sciences, said: “We recognize that the Indigenous communities in both Australia and Canada have unique healthcare needs. Gilead's new funding program will help promote engagement in HIV and viral hepatitis care by supporting culturally appropriate solutions that address these needs, while enabling Indigenous people to continue advocating for the care of their communities."

Gilead hopes the initiative can translate to ‘meaningful support’ of innovative projects that address the disproportionate rate of HIV and viral hepatitis in Indigenous communities.

In 2022 alone, the Gilead Foundation and Gilead Corporate Giving donated a combined nearly $300 million globally.