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On every December 1st for more than the past 20 years, World AIDS Day has been commemorated and celebrated as a day when the nation remembers, supports and honors all of those who have been touched by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Additionally, World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us to renew our commitment to curtail the spread of HIV.
Globally, more than 33 million people are living with HIV/AIDS and more than 7,300 are newly infected every day. Of the more than 1.1 million people with HIV/AIDS in the United States, more than 500,000 are African American and roughly 200,000 are Latino. In fact, the reported HIV infection rate is nine times greater for African American males and five times greater for Hispanic males than for White males, and African-American and Latina women together comprise more than 80 percent of all AIDS cases among women. African Americans account for 57 percent of all AIDS deaths.
The impact in the U.S. Virgin Islands also has been profound. In fact, the rate of adults and adolescents living with both HIV and with AIDS in the U.S. Virgin Islands is nearly twice that of the mainland. “Given the grim statistics, the theme of the 22nd anniversary of World AIDS Day – Universal Access and Human Rights – is more than a theme: it is a directive; a necessary call to action that not only will complement the Obama Administration’s new National HIV/AIDS Strategy, but will help ensure that we – as a nation – finally take significant steps toward making this epidemic an issue of yesteryear,” noted Congresswoman Donna Christensen, the Chair of the CBC Health Braintrust. “Since June of 1981 – when the first HIV/AIDS case was reported in the United States – the epidemic has continued to rage so much that every 9 ½ minutes, someone in the nation becomes newly infected with HIV.”
“While anyone can be infected with HIV, the sad reality today is that that ‘someone’ is very likely an African-American or a Latino individual. In fact, of those who are newly infected every year, 45 percent are African American and 17 percent are Latino, and the AIDS diagnosis rate among African-American adolescents and adults is 9 times that of their White counterparts,” continued Congresswoman Christensen, a physician.
“I call on everyone to commemorate this World AIDS Day by getting involved in efforts to end ADAP waiting lists so that every person with HIV has the medications necessary to live longer, healthier lives; to educate young people and others at heightened risk for HIV about healthier, smarter decisions; to treat every brave individual battling this disease with the dignity and respect that they not only deserve, but have earned; and to commit yourself to becoming a part of the solution in the fight against HIV/AIDS,” added Congresswoman Christensen, who represents the U.S. Virgin Islands. “Together, we can win the battle against HIV/AIDS and this year – 2010 – is the year that we take greater strides in doing so.”
