US Rep. Yvette D. Clarke of New York’s 11th Congressional district recognized yesterday, June 27, 2007, as National HIV Testing Day. Rep. Clarke, a co-sponsor of House Resolution 166, entitled, “Supporting the goals and ideals of National Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day,” and House Resolution 35, “Supporting the goals and ideals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day,” is a strong advocate of HIV/AIDS awareness.
Rep. Clarke stated, “In observance of National HIV Testing Day, I urge the residents of New York’s 11th Congressional District, as well as people around the nation to get tested. From 1981-2005, HIV/AIDS claimed the lives of 530,756 Americans, and that number continues to grow.”
According to the National Minority AIDS Council and the Center for Disease Control, African Americans and Hispanics account for 67% of the new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the United States. Amongst these two minorities, women are also suffering greatly from the HIV/AIDS epidemic. In 2005, African American and Hispanic women represented 82% of the estimated total of women diagnosed with AIDS.
National HIV Testing Day began a decade ago by the National Association of People with AIDS. The mission of National HIV Testing Day is to increase public knowledge, encourage routine HIV testing, and reduce the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.
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