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HIV/AIDS

By: Al Green
By: Al Green
Date: Sept. 28, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Health and Health Care


HIV/AIDS -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 28, 2006)

SPEECH OF HON. AL GREEN OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2006

* Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I wish to bring to my colleagues' attention the devastating impact that HIV/AIDS continues to have on our country and, in particular, on African Americans.

* African Americans make up only 12 percent of the United States population yet account for over 50 percent of all new HIV diagnoses. We must ask ourselves why this statistic is so high and continue to focus on ways to reduce it.

* AIDS diagnoses among African Americans are increasing while diagnoses among other groups are decreasing. By the end of 2003, 172,278 African Americans were living with AIDS and studies show that number is rising.

* This crisis is having an especially crippling effect on African American women who account for over two-thirds of new HIV/AIDS cases among women. Additionally, AIDS is the number one cause of death for African American women ages 25-34.

* These statistics clearly reflect a catastrophic problem facing African Americans today. It is imperative that we continue to support prevention efforts and encourage a willingness to speak out about this disease in our community. We must assume the challenge of combating this crisis. If we do not, our complacency will only contribute to the devastation caused by this disease.

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