Committee Holds Hearing on Domestic HIV Epidemic

The Committee held a hearing titled, “The Domestic Epidemic is Worse than We Thought: A Wake-Up Call for HIV Prevention” on Tuesday, September 16, 2008, in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building. A preliminary transcript of this hearing is now available.

Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that there were 56,300 new HIV infections in the United States in 2006. This figure, based on a new surveillance method, was 40% higher than prior, less accurate estimates. CDC also found that Hispanics and Blacks continue to experience a disproportionate burden of infection. The hearing assessed the impact of HIV prevention programs, research, and policy in the United States and explore what changes need to be made to turn the tide of infection.

The following witnesses testified:

• Julie Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H., Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Kevin Fenton, M.D., Ph.D., Director, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Director, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health
• David Holtgrave, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
• Adaora Adimora, M.D., M.P.H., Division of Infectious Diseases, UNC School of Medicine
• George Ayala, Psy.D., RTI International and AIDS Project Los Angeles
• Heather Hauck, M.S.W., LICSW, Director, Maryland AIDS Administration, and Chair-Elect, National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors
• Frank J. Oldham, Jr., President, National Association of People with AIDS