June 27, 2005
(Washington, DC) – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National HIV Testing Day in an effort to help stem the spread of HIV/AIDS.
“Testing saves lives and it is one of the simplest things we can do to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS,” said Lee. “We have seen this epidemic continue to spread, particularly in the African American community, in part because people don’t know that they are infected.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) the number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States recently surpassed 1,000,000—and more than 25 percent of those who are infected are not even aware of it. Without knowledge of their HIV+ status each of these individuals could potentially spread the disease to countless others.
Increasing the availability of HIV tests, especially rapid tests kits, and encouraging individuals to seek out voluntary counseling and testing can make a significant difference in reducing the spread of HIV. Unfortunately barriers to testing still exist, most significantly, the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and the anxiety involving the test itself.
In order to combat both these barriers, the National Association of People with AIDS, in conjunction with the Center for Disease Control, produces National HIV Testing Day, an annual campaign that culminates on June 27th. This year’s theme is “Take the test, take control,” emphasizing the fact that just getting tested can produce behavioral change regardless of the diagnosis.
Lee and several colleagues sent a letter to Members of Congress last week, encouraging them to consider visiting a local AIDS service organization to discuss the importance of getting tested and to publicly get tested themselves.
“Getting tested and talking about how important it is can go a long way towards reducing the stigma and anxiety around HIV, and can encourage others to get tested as well,” said Lee.
For more information, or to find a local testing site, visit the CDC’s website at: http://hivtest.org/.
###
Barbara Lee Introduces Bill Supporting National HIV Testing Day
Encourages Members of Congress to Help Reduce the Stigma Related to HIV by Getting Tested
(Washington, DC) – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) introduced a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National HIV Testing Day in an effort to help stem the spread of HIV/AIDS.
“Testing saves lives and it is one of the simplest things we can do to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS,” said Lee. “We have seen this epidemic continue to spread, particularly in the African American community, in part because people don’t know that they are infected.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) the number of people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States recently surpassed 1,000,000—and more than 25 percent of those who are infected are not even aware of it. Without knowledge of their HIV+ status each of these individuals could potentially spread the disease to countless others.
Increasing the availability of HIV tests, especially rapid tests kits, and encouraging individuals to seek out voluntary counseling and testing can make a significant difference in reducing the spread of HIV. Unfortunately barriers to testing still exist, most significantly, the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and the anxiety involving the test itself.
In order to combat both these barriers, the National Association of People with AIDS, in conjunction with the Center for Disease Control, produces National HIV Testing Day, an annual campaign that culminates on June 27th. This year’s theme is “Take the test, take control,” emphasizing the fact that just getting tested can produce behavioral change regardless of the diagnosis.
Lee and several colleagues sent a letter to Members of Congress last week, encouraging them to consider visiting a local AIDS service organization to discuss the importance of getting tested and to publicly get tested themselves.
“Getting tested and talking about how important it is can go a long way towards reducing the stigma and anxiety around HIV, and can encourage others to get tested as well,” said Lee.
For more information, or to find a local testing site, visit the CDC’s website at: http://hivtest.org/.
###