Unfortunately, the number of new HIV infections in the U.S. has remained constant at approximately 40,000 per year for many years. Additionally, these new infections are occurring increasingly among people of color and youth. In the nearly two decades since the AIDS epidemic began, successful HIV education and prevention efforts have produced unprecedented behavior changes in some groups at high risk for HIV infection, increasing the use of condoms and reducing risky sexual and needle sharing practices and, consequently, HIV infection rates. Unfortunately, the environment has changed in recent years and there are indications that risky behaviors and HIV infections may actually be on the rise among some populations. This campaign must be built upon a truly collaborative partnership of government, public health leaders, and community-based organizations.
Presidential leadership is an essential ingredient for success.
Furthermore, because the HIV epidemic is characterized by distinct local epidemics with very specific characteristics, local planning bodies composed of knowledgeable community representatives are well positioned to make informed determinations on how resources should be allocated. Working closely with local and state public health officials, and armed with reliable epidemiological and surveillance data that rapidly identify new trends in the local epidemic, community planning groups can be critical in targeting resources to areas and populations most at risk. Unequivocally endorse the scientific evidence showing that syringe exchange programs reduce HIV infections without encouraging drug use and advocate for federal funding for local syringe exchange programs. All of the nation's leading public health authorities have confirmed that syringe exchange programs are an important tool for local communities to use in reducing HIV and other blood-borne infections among injection drug users, their sexual partners, and their children. Up to half of all new HIV infections in the United States are related to injection drug use, and syringe exchange programs represent one of the few effective interventions for reaching these individuals with life-saving prevention and care services.