National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) http://www.niaid.nih.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 11, 2004

NIAID Press Office
(301) 402-1663
niaidnews@niaid.nih.gov

May 18^th is HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, a day for educating American communities about the ongoing search for a preventive HIV vaccine and for recognizing the efforts of thousands of clinical trial participants, scientists and health professionals committed to finding a safe and effective vaccine. On HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, we salute their efforts.

Although significant progress has been made in the search for a preventive HIV vaccine, a vaccine still does not exist. HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is an opportunity for all Americans, especially members of the African-American community, to learn more about vaccine research and support efforts to develop an HIV vaccine--the world’s best hope for ending the AIDS pandemic.

HIV/AIDS in African Americans
HIV has had a dramatic impact on the African-American community in the United States. African Americans, who make up 12 percent of the U.S. population, account for more than 50 percent of new infections.¹ In 2000, AIDS was the leading cause of death for African-American men between the ages of 25 and 44.² AIDS has already claimed the lives of more than 185,000 African-American men.³ In 2002, African-American women accounted for an estimated 64 percent of all new HIV cases among American women, and 59 percent of pediatric AIDS cases were among African-American children.^4,5

In the United States, nearly 950,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS, and an estimated 40,000 people contract the virus each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.⁶ Worldwide, more than 40 million people are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS.⁷

The support of African Americans is essential to bring about the end of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

“Real People. Real Progress”
The theme of this year’s HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is “Real people. Real progress.” More than 12,000 people have already volunteered for HIV vaccine studies. Currently, more than 20 promising HIV vaccines are in various stages of testing.^8,9 A large-scale HIV vaccine trial, however, will require thousands more participants of all races and ethnicities, genders and socioeconomic backgrounds, to ensure that the vaccine is effective in all groups but especially those most affected. Real progress requires that we work to break down stigma and dispel the myths about HIV vaccine research. Developing an HIV vaccine depends upon individuals and communities informing and supporting each other and promoting a vision of the world without HIV/AIDS.

Show Your Support
For the second year in a row, people are encouraged to wear an upside-down red AIDS ribbon on HIV Vaccine Awareness Day. The upside-down ribbon forms a “V,” for “vaccines,” symbolizing advances in HIV vaccine research and the urgent need to stop the transmission of HIV/AIDS.

HIV Vaccine Awareness Day Events
For more information about HIV Vaccine Awareness Day and outreach activities planned in the African-American and other communities, please contact the organizations on the “HIV Vaccine Awareness Day Activities” document found on www.niaid.nih.gov/newsroom/mayday/default.htm. Information about HIV vaccine research is available online at www.aidsinfo.nih.gov/, http://www.vrc.nih.gov or www.hvtn.org . You may also call 1-800-HIV-0440 to request a free brochure (available in English and Spanish).

References:

1. “HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet, African Americans and HIV/AIDS.” The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. September, 2003. www.kff.org/hivaids/hiv6089factsheet.cfm
2. Ibid.
3. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report. Vol. 14. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2002. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/stats/hasr1402.htm
4. “HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet, Women and HIV/AIDS in the United States.” The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. October 2003. www.kff.org/hivaids/hiv6092factsheet.cfm
5. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report. Vol. 14. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2002. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/stats/hasr1402.htm
6. “HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet, The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the United States.” The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. March, 2004. www.kff.org/hivaids/loader.cfm?url=/commonspot/security/getfile.cfm&PageID= 32947
7. “Basic HIV/AIDS Statistics.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2003. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/stats.htm#cumaids
8. The statistic stating that 12,000 people have already volunteered for clinical trials was provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Division of AIDS.
9. “HVTN Fact Sheet.” HIV Vaccine Trials Network. February, 2004. www.hvtn.org/pressroom/hvtn_pdf/Feb_2004_HVTNFACTSHEET.pdf

NIAID is a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIAID supports basic and applied research to prevent, diagnose and treat infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, influenza, tuberculosis, malaria and illness from potential agents of bioterrorism. NIAID also supports research on transplantation and immune-related illnesses, including autoimmune disorders, asthma and allergies.