|
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
and supporting for the 12th Annual AIDS Education month
during June 2006
Whereas, since the beginning of the AIDS
epidemic 25 years ago an estimated 70 million people have
been infected worldwide and over 25 million have died and
44 million are living with HIV in the world today, most
of them in environments where they do not have access to
treatment; and
Whereas, over 1 million Americans are estimated
to be living with HIV/AIDS, and it is estimated that ¼
of them are not aware of their infection; and
Whereas, in Philadelphia, 30,000 people
are living with HIV/AIDS with many of these cases being
women who are not aware that they were at risk, and the
predominant mode of transmission in Philadelphia is heterosexual
sex; and
Whereas, many people wait until they are
sick before they get tested, thus losing the opportunity
to begin early treatment; and
Whereas, young people are at high risk and
many may not realize they are at risk; and
Whereas, most new HIV cases in the United
States are occurring in people under thirty, placing youth
at risk; and
Whereas, the 12th Annual AIDS Education
Month has the theme “Get Tested; Get Treated, Get
Active” making everyone aware of their HIV status
so that they seek effective treatment if they are infected;
and then to become active in stopping the spread of HIV
in our communities; and
Whereas, free confidential testing is available
in Philadelphia and effective treatment for HIV is available
in Philadelphia, regardless of ability to pay; and
Whereas, Philadelphia FIGHT is the sponsor
of AIDS Education Month along with 40 other organizations
and agencies that will host conferences, community presentations,
a gospel concert, community speak-outs and National HIV/AIDS
Testing Day on June 27; and
Whereas, AIDS Education Month is held each
year to draw attention to the AIDS epidemic, and to encourage
people in our community to involve themselves in helping
to end the epidemic; now, therefore, be it
Resolved
by the City Council of Philadelphia, that we hereby recognize
and support the 12th Annual AIDS Education Month.
Blondell
Reynolds Brown
Councilwoman At-Large
June 8, 2006
|
