FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, November 30, 2007 |
CONTACT:
HRSA PRESS OFFICE
301-443-3376 |
Statement by Elizabeth M. Duke,
Administrator for the Health Resources and Services Administration
Regarding World AIDS Day
On World AIDS Day, we at the Health Resources and Services Administration join our many partners around the globe in recommitting ourselves to continue the work to improve the lives of those affected by HIV/AIDS. In fact, the best way to remember those we have lost to this devastating disease is to keep fighting to ensure that HIV patients have the high-quality care they need to live longer, healthier lives.
At HRSA, this day has special meaning for us, for delivering HIV/AIDS care to those who need it most is an enormous part of what we do.
Our Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program supports primary health care, life-saving medications and support services for more than a half-million low-income, uninsured and underinsured Americans every year. For example, our AIDS Drug Assistance Program is the fastest growing component of all Ryan White programs, and one in four HIV positive people in care receive their medications through this program.
Working in partnership with communities nationwide, we have made great progress. Most infants are born HIV-free. Life-saving medications make it possible to prolong lives. And many people who faced a death sentence just 10 years ago can now look forward to a brighter future.
Through the years, many, many lives have been saved, but our work is far from done. We must stay ahead of the epidemic and strengthen our efforts to curb its rise among our most vulnerable populations.
On World AIDS Day, we can be proud of what we have accomplished. In this third decade of fighting AIDS, we must remember that millions of people are counting on us to stay the course. Let's rededicate ourselves to do all that we can to make sure that people living with HIV/AIDS get the best care and treatment possible.
You can learn more about HRSA 's Ryan White HIV/AIDS programs at www.hrsa.gov.
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