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News Release

STATEMENT BY HHS SECRETARY TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Regarding National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

For the third year, National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a day to take action against the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on African Americans. On February 7, I ask all Americans -- especially those in the African-American community -- to learn more about HIV/AIDS prevention and testing.

Although African Americans make up only 12 percent of the United States population, they account for more than half of new HIV diagnoses reported in the U.S. each year. In 2001, African Americans accounted for half of new AIDS cases diagnosed. AIDS is the leading killer of African-American women ages 25-34 and African-American men ages 35-44, and since the beginning of the epidemic, more than 168,000 African Americans have died of AIDS.

Through the Community Capacity Building Coalition (CCBC), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sponsoring local activities in 16 cities as part of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The day offers an opportunity to bring together African-American leaders, HIV/AIDS organizations and civic groups throughout the country to generate awareness and encourage African Americans to get tested and to help prevent the spread of the disease locally.

This coalition of organizations is committed to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS in the African-American community through community mobilization and leadership development. Members of CCBC include: Concerned Black Men of Philadelphia, Health Watch Information and Promotion Service, Inc., Jackson State University, the National Black Alcoholism and Addiction Council and the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS.

The Bush Administration is committed to standing shoulder to shoulder with the American people in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We have increased overall spending from $14.2 billion in 2001 to more than $16 billion in fiscal year 2003. In addition, President Bush recently announced the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a five-year, $15 billion initiative to turn the tide in the global effort to combat the AIDS pandemic. This virtually triples the U.S. commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS internationally.

We can and must make a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We can do it together by supporting what President Bush calls "the armies of compassion." There is no higher calling than selfless service to one's community. Each of us can make a difference by devoting personal effort and time to defeating AIDS forever.

To learn more about HIV/AIDS and its impact on African Americans, visit www.cdcnpin.org/. Further information on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day can be found on www.blackaidsday.org.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last Revised: February 7, 2003