WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09) made the following statement in recognition of World AIDS Day on Friday, December 1:
“This year’s World AIDS Day theme is ‘Increasing Impact Through Transparency, Accountability and Partnerships.’ We’ve made great strides in detecting HIV infections and extending the lives of those diagnosed with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in recent years. Those affected are now able to lead normal lives. But the disease remains a scourge and it’s important for everyone to know their HIV status.
“Despite the tragic toll of this disease, we are making historic progress to halt this epidemic. U.S. initiatives like the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and the Ryan White AIDS Program have saved millions of lives around the world and here at home.
“We cannot afford to backslide on our commitments to ending this public health emergency. Despite the tremendous gains we’ve made in prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, more than 36 million people worldwide are living with the illness. In the United States, more than a million people are living with HIV, and one out of every seven HIV-positive Americans don’t know that they’ve been infected. While African-Americans and women continue to make up the majority of new HIV cases, HIV can affect anyone regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation.
“The United Nations believes we can achieve an AIDS-free generation by 2030, but that requires action to address the persistent gaps in education and care. On World AIDS Day and every day, I am committed to saving lives and protecting critical public health.”
There are several places in the Greater Memphis area to get testing and those locations can be found using the HIV Testing Sites and Care Service Locator here.
Contact: Bartholomew Sullivan
202.225.3265
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