For over two decades, World AIDS Day has served as a way to not just remember the millions of lives that have been lost due to this deadly disease, but also celebrate the brave struggle of the millions that cope with the illness each day. For legislators and activists, it should also serve as a somber reminder of how much more needs done to provide the kind of resources needed to prevent HIV/AIDS and support those who deal with it every day.
Twenty three years ago, the orchestrators of this day, James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, hoped that the best way to combat this incurable monster was with awareness. Despite the strides in medicines that are helping those afflicted lead healthier and longer lives, we are far from exterminating this crisis. The HIV infection rate in New York alone is three times the national rate and is the third leading cause of death for New York City residents aged 35 to 54.While more than 107,000 New Yorkers are living with the disease, thousands more do not know they are infected.
HIV/AIDS is having a particularly devastating effect in communities of color. Studies show that African Americans and Latinos account for over 65% of new infections in this country. Black men have six times the HIV incidence rate of white men and nearly three times that of Hispanic men. Black women are nearly 15 times as likely to be infected with HIV and Hispanic women four times as likely to be infected as white women.
Over the years, I have been part of a continuing struggle to increase Congressional funding to find a cure and provide services for victims and families. Last winter, Congress passed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act, which helps provide care, treatment, and support services to nearly half a million people ? most of whom are low-income. This bill increased the authorization level for each part of the Ryan White program by 5 percent a year for the next four years, making important investments in care and treatment services to ensure the highest quality of life for HIV/AIDS patients, while also funding prevention and outreach programs.
Yet we must do more. That is why next Congress, I expect to reintroduce H.R. 1964, The National Clergy for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act. The bill builds on a national faith-based approach intervention and education that is gaining grassroots support. Ministers from every denomination are spreading the word to their congregations and to leaders across the country.
Social advocacy by our pastors, our imams and our rabbis is nothing new. In the African American community alone, the black clergy has been on the forefront of every struggle in our community, from breaking the shackles of slavery to obtaining the right to vote.
HIV/AIDS does not discriminate by religion, race, gender, or age. On this 23rd World AIDS day, let us all recommit ourselves to organizing a 21st century approach to prevention and support. We need all hands on deck to deal with this epidemic ? not just health care professionals, but community leaders, elected officials and our churches, too. Only by reaching out across the aisle and to all of our networks, can we halt the spread of this disease that affects the lives of so many people and their families.
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