[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 606 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 606

        Designating June 27, 2008, as National HIV Testing Day.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 27, 2008

Mrs. Clinton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                     the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
        Designating June 27, 2008, as National HIV Testing Day.

Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (referred to in this 
        preamble as ``the CDC'') found that at the end of 2003, between 
        1,039,000 and 1,185,000 individuals in the United States were HIV 
        positive, an increase from the estimated 850,000 to 950,000 such 
        individuals at the end of 2002;
Whereas the CDC estimated that at the end of 2006, African-Americans represented 
        49 percent of all individuals living with HIV/AIDS, Whites represented 
        30 percent, and Hispanics represented 18 percent;
Whereas the CDC further found that at the end of 2006, men accounted for nearly 
        73 percent of all individuals living with HIV/AIDS and women represented 
        more than 26 percent;
Whereas the CDC estimated that from the beginning of the epidemic through 2006, 
        565,927 individuals in the United States have died of AIDS;
Whereas the CDC has determined that the leading cause of HIV infection is male-
        to-male sexual contact, followed by heterosexual contact and injection 
        drug use;
Whereas the CDC has estimated that during the 10-year period beginning in 1998, 
        the rate of new infections in the United States has remained at 
        approximately 40,000 annually, with no decline;
Whereas individuals at high risk of acquiring HIV are also often at high risk of 
        acquiring other sexually transmitted infections;
Whereas a 2008 report from the CDC estimated that in the United States, 1 in 4 
        young women and nearly 1 in 2 young African-American women between the 
        ages of 14 and 19 have a sexually transmitted infection;
Whereas the CDC estimates that about 25 percent of all HIV-positive individuals 
        are unaware of their status;
Whereas the CDC reports that when infected individuals knew their status, they 
        were more likely to practice HIV risk-reduction behaviors;
Whereas the CDC reported that in 2005, 40 percent of those individuals diagnosed 
        as HIV-positive 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 individuals with medical care and services that 
        can reduce mortality and prevent the onset of AIDS;
Whereas a 2004 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that many 
        individuals in the United States wanted more information about HIV, 
        including the different types of HIV tests available, testing costs, 
        test result confidentiality, and testing locations;
Whereas African-Americans and Latinos are much more likely than Whites to say 
        they need more information about HIV testing;
Whereas anxieties, misconceptions, and stigma have been traditionally associated 
        with HIV/AIDS and HIV testing;
Whereas the most commonly used HIV tests require a 2-week waiting period for a 
        diagnosis, and such a waiting period contributes to the anxiety 
        surrounding HIV testing that discourages individuals from receiving 
        their diagnosis;
Whereas the CDC estimated that in 2004, among those 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, while delivering 
        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 National Association of People with AIDS, 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 introduced in 1995 and 
        produced by the National Association of People with AIDS to encourage 
        individuals to seek out and receive voluntary HIV counseling and 
        testing;
Whereas the theme of National HIV Testing Day 2008 is, ``Take the test, take 
        control'';
Whereas the Advancing HIV Prevention Initiative of the CDC emphasizes the 
        importance of HIV testing;
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 Senate--
            (1) designates June 27, 2008, as National HIV Testing Day;
            (2) encourages State and local governments, including their 
        public health agencies, to recognize such a day, to publicize 
        its importance among their communities, to encourage 
        individuals to undergo counseling and testing for HIV and other 
        sexually transmitted infections, and to establish and maintain 
        effective linkages to care and treatment services for 
        individuals testing positive;
            (3) encourages the appropriate 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) encourages the President to emphasize the importance of 
        addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic among all individuals in the 
        United States, but especially among minority communities; and
            (6) supports the development of a National AIDS strategy 
        with clear goals and objectives to reduce new HIV infections, 
        especially among minorities.
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