HIV/AIDS educator Hydeia Broadbent dies at age 39

The world recently lost a powerful advocate in the fight against HIV/AIDS with the passing of educator Hydeia Broadbent at the young age of 39. Broadbent, who was born with HIV and diagnosed at just three years old, dedicated her life to raising awareness about the disease and combating stigma surrounding it.

Broadbent's tireless efforts as a public speaker and educator touched countless lives, educating people about prevention methods and promoting early testing and treatment. Her personal story served as a powerful example of resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

Hydeia Broadbent, known for raising awareness to lessen the stigma around HIV/AIDS from a young age, has died at 39 years old. She was one of the faces of children with AIDS in America, especially within the African American community.

Her father, Loren Broadbent, confirmed her unexpected passing in a message posted to Facebook on Tuesday. He did not share the cause of death.

By the time Ms. Broadbent was 12, she had shared her story with numerous national television audiences, according to the biography page on her website. At 11, she appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and talked about the myriad health issues she had overcome as a toddler.

Hydeia Loren Broadbent was born on June 14, 1984, at a hospital in Las Vegas. She was abandoned at birth and adopted by Loren and Patricia Broadbent, according to the biography on her website.

Although she had been born with H.I.V., it was not diagnosed until she was 3 years old.

Over the years, Hydeia Broadbent continued to work with AIDS Healthcare Foundation. In 2013, she attended the opening ceremony of AHF’s first Las Vegas Healthcare Centers. Being from the state of Nevada herself, Hydeia made a special appearance at the ribbon cutting. In Los Angeles in 2014, she spoke at AHF’s third community forum in a nationwide series of “AIDS is a Public Health Issue” at the Holman United Methodist Church, and during the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March, Hydeia Broadbent joined Rev. Al Sharpton, Cynthia Davis, and Gabriel Maldonado to speak on a panel at Selma University for “AIDS is a Civil Rights Issue: An Evening of Action.”

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Sarah H

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