HR0100 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0100 LRB101 07939 MST 52994 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, February 7, 2019 is the 18th annual commemoration and observance of National African-American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, This observance is a nationwide effort to mobilize African-American communities to get educated, tested, involved, and treated for HIV/AIDS, as it continues to devastate African-American communities; and

WHEREAS, National African-American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is directed, planned, and strategically implemented by HIV/AIDS organizations to mobilize community-based organizations and stakeholders involved in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment; and

WHEREAS, African-Americans account for 46.8% of people living with HIV, although they represent just 12% of the United States population; and

WHEREAS, Illinois has witnessed HIV infections drop by 35% over the last decade, however, nearly 43,000 residents of Illinois are still living with HIV (including the undiagnosed); the Black community continues to be disproportionally impacted by the epidemic; Black gay men are experiencing an increase in HIV cases, particularly among youth; Black woman account for more than 73% of women who are newly diagnosed and women who are living with HIV; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 43,000 residents of Illinois are living with HIV (including the undiagnosed), and 52% of people newly diagnosed with HIV are African-American; and

WHEREAS, Young African-American gay men under the age of 30 in Chicago have an infection rate three times greater than their white counterparts; and

WHEREAS, At the current rate of infection, nationally 1 in 4 gay African-American men will become HIV-positive by the time they are 25, and 1 in 2 will have HIV by the time they are 35; and

WHEREAS, Of those African-Americans that are HIV-positive, fewer than half are prescribed antiretroviral therapy (HIV medication), and just 37% reach viral suppression; and

WHEREAS, Over two-thirds of women diagnosed with HIV in the United States are African-American; Center for Disease Control data reports that by race/ethnicity, African-American transgender women have the highest percentage of new HIV positive test results; and

WHEREAS, HIV medication taken daily (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP) is nearly 100% effective at preventing HIV infection when used consistently and correctly and creates the opportunity to dramatically reduce HIV infections in the Black community, but awareness of PrEP and access to PrEP is low in the Black community for those who could potentially benefit from PrEP, based on the CDC guidelines; only 1% of PrEP users are Black; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois General Assembly and administration failed to transfer money to the African-American American HIV/AIDS Response Fund, resulting in an inability to make grants to organizations focused on fighting the epidemic in the African-American community; and

WHEREAS, Numerous organizations, faith-based institutions, public health entities, and impacted citizens are hosting community events to recognize this day and its importance to African-Americans and all concerned citizens; and

WHEREAS, It is fitting that we join with these local, national, and international groups to express our strong support for National African-American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and the initiatives to prevent HIV/AIDS in African-American communities and provide access to and utilization of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and support services to those affected by HIV/AIDS; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare February 7, 2019 as National African-American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in Illinois, and encourage local residents to strongly support this day and participate in events planned to commemorate the occasion.