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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 585 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 585

 Supporting the goals and ideals of National HIV Testing Day, and for 
                            other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 25, 2009

 Ms. Lee of California (for herself, Mrs. Christensen, Ms. Norton, Ms. 
 Baldwin, Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Honda, and Ms. Waters) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                                Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
 Supporting the goals and ideals of National HIV Testing Day, and for 
                            other purposes.

Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that at 
        the end of 2006 1,106,400 people were living with the human 
        immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States;
Whereas the CDC estimates that a total of 583,298 people died of acquired 
        immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the United States from the beginning 
        of the HIV/AIDS epidemic through 2007;
Whereas the CDC estimates that there were 56,300 new cases of HIV infection in 
        the United States during 2006;
Whereas current estimates by the CDC utilize a new methodology that results in 
        more accurate estimates of new HIV infections;
Whereas previous estimates by the CDC of HIV infection rates undercounted the 
        rate of infection by 40 percent;
Whereas the CDC estimates that at the end of 2006, African-Americans represented 
        46 percent of all people living with HIV in the United States, Whites 
        represented 35 percent, Hispanics represented 18 percent, Asian-
        Americans and Pacific Islanders represented 1 percent, and American 
        Indians and Alaska Natives represented less than 1 percent;
Whereas the CDC estimates that at the end of 2006, men accounted for 75 percent 
        of all people living with HIV in the United States, and women 
        represented 25 percent;
Whereas the CDC has determined that in the United States the leading 
        transmission category of HIV infection is male-to-male sexual contact, 
        followed by heterosexual contact and injection drug use;
Whereas men who have sex with men (MSM) have represented an increasing share of 
        new HIV infections over the past decade, with 57 percent of all new 
        infections in 2006 occurring among MSM;
Whereas young MSM of color, in particular, bear a disproportionate burden of the 
        HIV/AIDS epidemic;
Whereas the CDC estimates that in 2006, of the people in the United States 
        living with HIV, approximately 232,700 (or 21 percent) were unaware that 
        they were infected;
Whereas surveys indicate that many Americans want more information about HIV, 
        including information about the different types of tests available, 
        testing costs, test result confidentiality, and testing locations;
Whereas African-Americans and Hispanics are much more likely than Whites to say 
        they need more information about HIV testing;
Whereas studies have found that Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders are less 
        likely to report having sought HIV testing than other ethnic groups, are 
        more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage of the disease, and are 
        less likely, if diagnosed, to use HIV/AIDS services;
Whereas people at high risk of acquiring HIV are often at high risk of acquiring 
        other sexually transmitted diseases as well;
Whereas in 2008, the CDC estimated that 1 in 4 young women between the ages of 
        14 and 19 in the United States and nearly 1 in 2 African-American young 
        women in the United States were infected with at least 1 of the 4 most 
        common sexually transmitted diseases;
Whereas the CDC reports that when HIV-infected people know their status, they 
        are more likely to practice behaviors that reduce the risk of HIV 
        transmission to other people;
Whereas the CDC estimates that in 2006, of the people diagnosed as HIV-positive, 
        38 percent were later diagnosed with AIDS within 1 year of their HIV 
        test;
Whereas the CDC reports that early knowledge of HIV status is important for 
        connecting HIV-positive people with medical care and services that can 
        reduce mortality and prevent the onset of AIDS;
Whereas anxiety, misconception, and stigma have been traditionally associated 
        with HIV/AIDS and HIV testing;
Whereas the most commonly used HIV tests currently require a 2-week waiting 
        period for a diagnosis, and such a waiting period contributes to the 
        anxiety surrounding HIV testing that discourages people from receiving 
        their diagnosis;
Whereas the CDC estimated that in 2004, of the people who took an HIV test at 
        sites funded by the CDC, 22 percent did not return for their test 
        results;
Whereas rapid test kits approved by the Food and Drug Administration have made 
        HIV testing easier, more accessible, and less invasive, and can deliver 
        results within a single day;
Whereas prevention counseling is an essential part of HIV testing and, when 
        conducted according to established CDC guidelines, has been shown to be 
        effective at producing individual behavioral change;
Whereas the CDC's ``Advancing HIV Prevention Initiative: New Strategies for a 
        Changing Epidemic'', announced in April 2003, emphasizes the importance 
        of HIV testing;
Whereas in September 2006, the CDC released ``Revised Recommendations for HIV 
        Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health-Care 
        Settings'', which advises all health care providers in the public and 
        private sectors to provide routine HIV screening of adults, adolescents, 
        and pregnant women in health care settings in the United States, and 
        recommends reducing barriers to HIV testing;
Whereas in March 2007, the CDC, in partnership with leaders in the African-
        American community, launched a ``Heightened National Response to the 
        HIV/AIDS Crisis among African Americans'' to mobilize a coordinated 
        response to HIV/AIDS in the African-American community and, as part of 
        this effort, announced a new initiative to increase HIV testing in 
        jurisdictions with the highest AIDS case rates among African-Americans;
Whereas, on April 7, 2009, the CDC launched a new communication campaign, ``Act 
        Against AIDS'', to facilitate awareness, public education, health 
        literacy, health care provider marketing, and highly targeted behavior 
        change communication objectives in the fight against HIV/AIDS;
Whereas the initial phase of the ``Act Against AIDS'' campaign, entitled ``9\1/
        2\ Minutes'', is an effort to combat complacency about the HIV crisis in 
        the United States and raise awareness of the continued severity of the 
        HIV/AIDS epidemic and the fact that every 9\1/2\ minutes, on average, 
        someone in the United States is infected with HIV;
Whereas despite these efforts, the CDC has noted that ``new strategies are 
        warranted to increase HIV testing, particularly among persons who are 
        disproportionately affected by HIV infection'';
Whereas the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), founded in 1983, 
        is the oldest coalition of people living with HIV/AIDS, and advocates on 
        behalf of all people living with HIV/AIDS;
Whereas National HIV Testing Day is an annual campaign that was introduced in 
        1995 by NAPWA to encourage individuals to seek out and receive voluntary 
        HIV counseling and testing;
Whereas the theme of National HIV Testing Day 2009 is ``Take the test, take 
        control'';
Whereas as part of its overall public health mission, the CDC annually supports 
        the National HIV Prevention Conference and National HIV Testing Day; and
Whereas June 27 of each year is now recognized as National HIV Testing Day: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the goals and ideals of National HIV Testing 
        Day;
            (2) encourages State and local governments, including their 
        public health agencies, to recognize such day, to publicize its 
        importance among their communities, and to encourage 
        individuals to undergo counseling and testing for HIV and other 
        sexually transmitted diseases;
            (3) encourages the use of rapid test kits approved by the 
        Food and Drug Administration as a fast and efficient method of 
        HIV testing;
            (4) encourages national, State, and local media 
        organizations to carry messages in support of National HIV 
        Testing Day;
            (5) commends the President for emphasizing the importance 
        of addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic among all Americans; and
            (6) supports the development of a National AIDS Strategy 
        with clear goals and objectives to reduce new HIV infections, 
        especially among minority communities and men who have sex with 
        men.
                                 <all>
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