Home About Me District Issues & Legislation Services Contact Newsroom HIV/AIDS f t # e Three decades after it was first reported nationally, HIV/AIDS has proven to be one of the most serious global health concerns in modern history, infecting and affecting people across the lines of race, class, religion, and sexual orientation. In the United States, approximately 1.1 million people are living with HIV/AIDS and an estimated 56,300 Americans are newly infected with HIV each year. Moreover, as a result of health care disparities and other persistent challenges such as stigma and homophobia, new HIV infections are higher among African Americans, Hispanics, and men who have sex with men (MSM) than other groups. Thanks to the dedication of countless scientists, health care providers, government officials, organizations, and activists, more and more people can live with HIV/AIDS rather than die from it. And while we are closer to realizing an AIDS-free generation than ever before, HIV/AIDS remains a significant public health challenge, with high rates of infection disproportionately impacting many communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in six HIV-positive individuals are unaware that they are infected, which means that they may be transmitting HIV without knowing it. This underscores the critical importance of increasing access to prevention services, treatment, and education. Although HIV/AIDS knows no borders, the disease has taken a particularly devastating toll on my Congressional district. My home state of Florida continues to rank among the top-three states in the nation in reported HIV/AIDS cases. Nearly half of these are concentrated in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Orange Counties, with Broward County having the highest rate of HIV infection per-capita in the country. In addition, South Florida leads the nation in new HIV cases per capita, and the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis is also on the rise. As a Member of Congress since 1993, I believe that it is critically important to educate and empower individuals to take control of their health, and that access to testing is the key to reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS. I will continue working to improve health care services for people living with HIV/AIDS, including within the framework of the Affordable Care Act. Furthermore, I remain committed to supporting the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), the Ryan White Program, and the National AIDS Strategy. f t # e Related News Hastings Recognizes National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day Posted in Press Releases on April 10, 2015 Hastings Commemorates 26th Annual World AIDS Day Posted in Press Releases on December 1, 2014 Hastings Marks 20th Annual National HIV Testing Day Posted in Press Releases on June 27, 2014 Standing up for equality: AIDS prevention, treatment, and education in the African American community Posted in Opinion Pieces on April 17, 2014 Hastings Marks 25th Annual World AIDS Day Posted in Press Releases on December 1, 2013 All Related News... 20th District INTERACTIVE MAP Calendar Voting Record WHERE I STAND Gun Violence TAKE MY SURVEY issues On the Issues Legislation Rules Committee Proceedings Appropriations - FY 2011 Projects Appropriations - FY 2010 Projects Transportation Reauthorization - 2009 High Priority Projects Water Resources Development Act - 2010 Project Requests Connect Send Me An Email I value all feedback from residents of my district. I am here to serve you, and so is my staff. Please fill out the fields below in order to submit an e-mail to my office. Address City Constituent Services Rules Committee Floor Proceedings Voting Record Previous Next Washington Office 2353 Rayburn Office Building Washington D.C. 20515 Tel: (202) 225-1313 Fax: (202) 225-1171 Map Location Broward County Office 2701 W. Oakland Park Blvd, Suite 200 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 Tel: (954) 733-2800 Fax: (954) 735-9444 Map Location Palm Beach County Office Town of Mangonia Park Municipal Center 1755 East Tiffany Drive Mangonia Park, FL 33407 Tel: (561) 469-7048 Map Location Bill Search