August 4, 2008

AIDS Alliance Issues Statement on CDC's Announcement of Annual HIV Incidence

Statement of Mr. Licy Do Canto, Chief Executive Officer,

AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families

On the Announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

of the Increased Annual Incidence of HIV Infections in the U.S.

Yesterday, in a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised its HIV incidence data.  AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families' Chief Executive Officer Licy Do Canto issued the following statement:

As the world convenes in Mexico City this week to discuss the global impact of HIV/AIDS as part of the International AIDS Conference, news that more Americans than once believed are HIV-positive underscores the compelling need that more must be done to fight the spread of the disease within the U.S. While the study released by CDC officials in this week's JAMA paints a clearer picture of the HIV/AIDS impact across the nation – that approximately 56,300 people in the U.S. contracted HIV in 2006, almost 20,000 more than previously understood – it highlights that the epidemic carries an unequal burden for certain communities, especially African Americans and young people who continue to be greatly impacted by HIV.  If we are to fight HIV/AIDS successfully in this nation, we must press for stronger Federal and private sector leadership to expand and ensure access to comprehensive, quality HIV prevention, care and treatment. 

AIDS Alliance looks forward to continuing to work together with lawmakers and other stakeholders in finding meaningful and practical ways to combat and end the spread of HIV/AIDS in the United States.

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Founded in 1994, AACYF is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the partnership between consumers and providers – we are the voice of women, children, youth and families living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.  AACYF works to enhance and expand access to quality, comprehensive, family-centered care to America's children, youth and families affected by HIV/AIDS, as it represents the nation's network of over 650 Ryan White Part D funded community-based organizations.  Part D programs serve over 53,000 HIV-affected women, children, youth and families through sites located in 35 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.