The Importance of National HIV Testing Day
THE IMPORTANCE OF NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY -- (Extensions of Remarks - July 01, 2005)
SPEECH OF HON. DANNY K. DAVIS OF ILLINOIS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2005
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, HIV testing is imperative. There is not much else to be said. This global epidemic has affected communities and families around the world. In Chicago, there are about 40,000 new cases each year. There are thousands of families struggling with this fact.
Nationally, nearly one million people are infected with HIV and nearly 30 percent are not aware of it. The highest rates of new infection are with women, especially the women of the African-American community. Sixty-seven percent of new cases are Black women, although women make up only 23 percent of new cases overall. This is a travesty.
We must also remember that this is a global issue that affects the lives of members of our international village. A recent ad campaign in Russia warns, ``Close your eyes on HIV today and you might miss the people closest to you tomorrow.'' This warning, unfortunately, rings true in the lives of many people today. Globally, nearly 40 million men, women and children are infected with the virus that causes AIDS.
We in Congress have taken great legislative strides to fight this epidemic, but we are only 435 faces. It is up to the citizens of this great Nation and nations around the world to stand up and join the fight. This is why June 27th has been designated as National HIV Testing Day. Take advantage of it.
Some people say they don't have time. The fastest method of determining one's status is through rapid testing. It takes about 20 minutes. There are 1,440 minutes in a day. Clinics tend to be open for 8 hour days. If one person went to get tested every 20 minutes at one clinic on June 27th, then there would be 24 people that know their status. The number of United States registered hospitals totals 5,764. If one person went to get tested every 20 minutes at each of these hospitals, on June 27th, 138,336 people would know their status. Imagine if this were a global initiative. To the people who think that HIV testing is a long and time-consuming process, I say, we don't have time to waste.
Mr. Speaker, we don't have time to lose another life. We don't have time for silence or apathy. Tell a friend or family member. Remind them how urgent it is to grasp this moment. Take advantage of this day. Seize it. Get tested.
http://thomas.loc.gov