The National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) represents the nation's chief state health agency staff who have programmatic responsibility for administering HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis healthcare, prevention, education, and supportive service programs funded by state and federal governments. NASTAD is dedicated to reducing the incidence of HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis infections in the U.S. and its territories, providing comprehensive, compassionate, and high-quality care to all persons living with HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis, and ensuring responsible public policies. NASTAD provides national leadership to achieve these goals, and to educate about and advocate for the necessary federal funding to achieve them, as well as to promote communication between state and local health departments and HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis care and treatment programs. NASTAD supports and encourages the use of applied scientific knowledge and input from affected communities to guide the development of effective policies and programs.