News Release
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, Feb. 6, 2004 |
Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343
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Statement by Tommy G. Thompson
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Regarding National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and Information Day
On February 7, 2004, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will observe the fourth annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and Information Day. This day serves as a springboard for action against the devastating effects HIV/AIDS continues to have on the African-American community -- stressing the need for increased awareness and testing, and access to care and treatment.
Approximately 900,000 Americans are living with HIV/AIDS -- many unknowingly -- and some 40,000 are newly infected with HIV every year. Minority communities are disproportionately hit by this epidemic. For example, though African Americans comprise 12 percent of the U.S. population, they comprised 51.7 percent of all estimated AIDS cases diagnosed in 2002. HIV/AIDS is one of the top three leading causes of death for African-American women ages 25-44, and men ages 25-54.
Responding to this national health crisis, HHS is working closely with federal, state and local partners, in addition to community and faith-based organizations.
The Bush Administration has increased overall HIV/AIDS federal spending 28 percent, from $14.2 billion in fiscal year 2001 to $18.5 billion in fiscal year 2004. Building on this commitment, the President's fiscal year 2005 budget request includes $53 million for programs that support innovative approaches to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in minority communities. In addition, the budget request includes $784 million for the Ryan White AIDS Drug Assistance Program, an increase of $35 million to support the purchase of medications for people living with HIV/AIDS.
The Community Capacity Building Coalition, which created National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and Information Day, is using funds provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide HIV/AIDS prevention capacity-building assistance to organizations based in African-American communities. Additionally, the Coalition's founding members -- Concerned Black Men, Inc. of Philadelphia; the Mississippi Urban Research Center at Jackson State University; Health Watch Information and Promotion Service; the National Black Alcoholism & Addiction Council; and the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS -- will be supporting events in 16 major cities and encouraging community mobilization nationwide.
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and Information Day is an important opportunity to understand and educate people nationwide about mobilizing in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Together, we can make a difference. For more information on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and Information Day, visit http://www.omhrc.gov/blackaidsday/.
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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
Last Revised: February 6, 2004
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