AIDS IN THE UNITED STATES AND AROUND THE WORLD

WHEREAS, UNAIDS reports that since the beginning of the epidemic more than 18 million lives have been lost to AIDS, nearly 15 million of them in sub-Saharan Africa, and with 34 million people estimated to be living with HIV or AIDS worldwide and 5 million people becoming newly infected each year, the death toll is expected to double in the next decade; and

WHEREAS, it is projected that HIV will kill at least one-third of young men and women in countries where HIV is most prevalent, and in some places, up to two-thirds, drastically altering the structure of their population and the future of their communities; and

WHEREAS, in the United States, though there have been recent declines in AIDS-related deaths, the HIV/AIDS epidemic remains an enormous health emergency - 338,978 people are living with AIDS in the U.S., more than 40,000 Americans become newly infected with HIV each year, and persons of color are being disproportionately impacted, accounting for 30% of the U.S. population and 60% of all new AIDS cases; and

WHEREAS, 83% of persons with AIDS in the United States live in our urban cities and rely on public health care and social service systems for care and treatment, making funding for prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and supportive services critical investments in our people, our cities, and our health care system; and

WHEREAS, the largest discretionary investment in the care of people with HIV/AIDS, the Ryan White CARE Act, supports life-sustaining medical care and support services to under and uninsured persons with HIV/AIDS, the majority of whom are people of color; and

WHEREAS, in order to reduce new infections, ensure quality health care, and prolong the lives of persons living with HIV/AIDS, the United States must continue to allocate sufficient resources for domestic and global HIV/AIDS prevention, care and research programs; and

WHEREAS, the Administration announced a U.S. commitment of $200 million to the global fund to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and announced the United States' participation in a coordinated and collaborative worldwide response to the devastation caused by these diseases; and has proposed FY 2003 budget increases for AIDS-related research programs and for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors commends the Administration for its commitment to combat HIV/AIDS abroad and urges the allocation of additional resources to stem the spread of this global pandemic; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The U.S. Conference of Mayors urges the Administration and Congress to increase funding for critical domestic HIV/AIDS programs by allocating an additional $303.7 million to the Ryan White CARE Act, including $43 million for Title I, $162 million for Title II AIDS Drug Assistance Program, and $14 million for Title III; an additional $159 million for the Minority AIDS Initiative; an additional $303.4 million to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for domestic prevention programs; an additional $384 million for research to the National Institutes of Health; and an additional $48 million for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program.