Senator Clinton: New HIV Estimates Underscore Need to Improve Response, Increase Prevention Efforts

Estimates from CDC Place New HIV Infections at More Than 56,000 for 2006

August 3, 2008 -- Washington, DC - Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today underscored that HIV infection statistics released today using new methodology show the need for a more aggressive response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, particularly increased prevention efforts targeted to the communities at highest risk. According to these estimates released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 56,000 new HIV infections occurred among Americans in 2006, a higher rate of infection than found previously.

Senator Clinton announced that when the Senate returns in September, she will introduce a Senate resolution on the need for a better and more comprehensive response to HIV/AIDS. New York State has more than 110,000 people living with HIV/AIDS.

"Today's numbers give us a better sense of the scope of the epidemic in the United States, and clearly point to the need for additional prevention, particularly among the populations with rising rates of infections. We cannot approach this epidemic with fear and stigma; we cannot shy away from an honest discussion of the facts. Rather, we must focus on using scientifically proven methods of education and prevention to ensure that we are reaching the populations most at risk for HIV, particularly among African Americans, where rates of new infections are seven times higher than that of whites. I will continue to push to devote additional resources to prevention, and advocate for the creation of a National AIDS Strategy to better coordinate our efforts to address all facets of this epidemic at the Federal level," said Senator Clinton.

These estimates are the first to reflect a new methodology used by the CDC that allows for more accurate estimates of new infections. Prior to this year, the estimate was that there were 40,000 new infections every year. This new methodology will allow the CDC to better reflect the true scope of the epidemic in the United States.

The numbers released today by the CDC reveal that new HIV infections have declined since the 1980s. However, rates among minority populations continue to be unacceptably high. African Americans account for 45 percent of new HIV infections, although they only represent about 13 percent of the population, and African American communities have infection rates that are seven times higher than those of whites. This follows a report released last week by the Black AIDS Institute that found that more black Americans are infected with HIV than the total populations living with HIV in seven of the 15 focus countries served by our country's global AIDS program. In addition, Hispanics are getting infected at rates three times higher than whites.

Senator Clinton has been a vocal advocate of the need for prevention, testing and early treatment. She has led the push to increase appropriations for domestic AIDS funding in the Senate, encompassing prevention and treatment efforts at multiple agencies. She introduced the Early Treatment for HIV Act, which will allow low-income individuals with HIV to access Medicaid before they become ill. Earlier this year, she introduced a resolution commemorating June's National HIV Testing Day.

Source: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton

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