PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Daniel Leyva, Representative from Latino Commission on AIDS
1:14:04
ยท
140 sec
Daniel Leyva, a person living with HIV since 1998 and a representative from the Latino Commission on AIDS, testifies in support of legislation introduced by Council Member Lynn Shulman. He emphasizes the importance of housing services for people living with HIV, highlighting how it contributes to better health outcomes and access to other essential services.
- Leyva stresses the significance of housing as a basic need that helps people achieve a healthier life, referencing Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
- He mentions the concept of U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable), explaining how proper treatment and support can prevent HIV transmission.
- Leyva argues that the proposed legislation would positively impact HIV prevention efforts in New York City.
Daniel Leyva
1:14:04
Hello.
1:14:05
Yeah.
1:14:05
Good morning, everyone.
1:14:07
My name is Daniel Leyva.
1:14:08
I'm a person living with HIV since 1998.
1:14:11
And also, I work I mean, I'm employed by the Latino Commission, working in prevention, HIV prevention, with the Latino Hispanic community, specifically, but with all persons of color.
1:14:26
I'm here in support of the legislation introduced by a a council member Lynn Shulman, because both as a person living with HIV and as a service provider, I have seen how housing can help not only people to stay healthy, but also access other services such as mental health that is very much needed in our city.
1:14:50
And also with the amount of people, 50, that are recently diagnosed with HIV and who are unfortunately seen in our society is considered unemployable because of age, these services are extremely extremely important.
1:15:09
I I am preparing any any remarks because speaking as a person living with HIV for me is much more than providing data, but also providing the life experience.
1:15:25
I've seen and following the the prior the priority of of needs of Maslow, we have seen how housing remains one of the most important, one of the basic services that will help people achieve not only a healthier life, but we have seen how the the the decrease of HIV, happen in part because of u equal u.
1:15:52
People living with HIV who are on treatment and become undetectable, have have a lesser possibility, almost a no possibility to transmit HIV.
1:16:05
This is possible through offering people the basics of life.
1:16:09
So I'm fully in support, again, as a person with HIV and a service provider to this legislation, because it also will impact severely, positively, HIV prevention in our city.
1:16:23
Thank you very much.