HR0603 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0603 LRB101 15035 MST 64553 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Illinois Department of Public Health has determined that African American and Latinx at-risk populations are among the five demographics selected for funding beginning early 2019 in support of Community Development initiatives; it is imperative that the voices of those most imminently affected by this crucial health issue be heard before any funding is considered; and

WHEREAS, The most recent and available statistics place HIV disease as one of the top five leading causes of death in African American women between the ages of 35 to 44 and the seventh ranking cause in African American women between the ages of 20 to 34; and

WHEREAS, According to the Chicago Department of Public Health, this city's African Americans are afflicted with more than half of the newly diagnosed HIV and AIDS cases; non-Hispanic African Americans were the most frequently diagnosed population, representing 58.5% of new HIV diagnoses, 56.4% of AIDS diagnoses, and 55.2% of late diagnoses; and

WHEREAS, In 2016, the highest rates of new individual HIV infection diagnoses occurred in the predominantly African American neighborhoods of Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, North Lawndale, Washington Park, and West Garfield Park; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that action be taken to halt new HIV infections among these demonstrably at-risk African American men and women, which continue at an alarming rate that exceeds 80% while new cases of infections among the corresponding at-risk Caucasian demographic have dramatically decreased to a current rate of less than 20%; and

WHEREAS, Hispanics/Latinos recently accounted for about one quarter of all new diagnoses of HIV in the United States, despite representing about 18% of the total U.S. population; and

WHEREAS, More than 20% of people living with HIV in the City of Chicago identify as Latinx, with the highest risk and most marginalized subpopulations (injection drug users, sexual and gender minorities, etc.) exclusively depending on indigenous-led and staffed organizations for services; and

WHEREAS, Young men ages 20 to 29, especially Black and Latino men who have sexual contact with men, also continue to make up the majority of new diagnoses, while transgender women, particularly those of color, also are disproportionately affected; the City of Chicago stated that these populations, as well as Chicagoans in some southern, western, and northern community areas, continue to be "priority populations" for HIV prevention efforts; and

WHEREAS, Gay and bisexual men accounted for 85% (7,271) of the HIV diagnoses among Hispanic/Latino men in 2015, with indigenous-led organizations on the South and West sides of Chicago leading efforts for outreach and engagement with the highest risk individuals; and

WHEREAS, According to reporting by the Chicago Department of Public Health in 2016, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, particularly Latino men, bear a disproportionate burden of HIV; and

WHEREAS, Significant gaps in knowledge exist concerning HIV incidence and prevalence in the Latinx community, especially given the influx of evacuees into the city from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we call upon the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health to expeditiously participate in legislative public hearings, as well as hearings within the communities so affected, in order to provide expert and public testimony concerning the amelioration of this disturbing and reversible public health threat; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge additional appropriations in State funding, along with any available federal dollars, to provide necessary preventative diagnostic and treatment services to mitigate the harmful effects of HIV among at-risk African American and Latinx populations; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health.