[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 169 (Thursday, November 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2353]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC IN DALLAS-FORT WORTH AREA

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2003

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
address the steady meteoric rise of the deadly epidemic of HIV/AIDS in 
the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is proving to be one 
of the most devastating social conditions of our time.
  In my home state of Texas, the numbers have been steadily rising 
since 1998 at a rate of about 7 percent per year. In fact, according to 
the Texas Department of Health, Dallas County reported the highest 
number of new HIV positive individuals in Texas, that's just ahead of 
Harris County (which includes Houston) which reported 1,212 new HIV 
cases.
  So far in 2003, Dallas County has reported 609 new HIV cases and 355 
new AIDS cases. Moreover, so much work needs to be done to inform the 
public about this disease's disproportionate impact on African 
Americans.
  Dallas County Health and Human Services chief epidemiologist 
announced that there were 1,271 new HIV cases and 548 new AIDS cases 
reported in 2002. African Americans, comprise 20 percent of the Dallas 
County population, but 41 percent of the new HIV cases and 46 percent 
of the new AIDS cases in 2003.
  As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 
although African Americans make up only about 12 percent on the U.S. 
population, cumulatively they have accounted for half of the new HIV 
infections reported in the United States in 2001.
  African Americans have accounted for more than 320,000, or 38 
percent, of the more than 833,000 estimated AIDS cases diagnosed since 
the beginning of the epidemic. In addition to experiencing historically 
higher rates of HIV infection, African Americans continue to face 
challenges in accessing health care, prevention services, and 
treatment. Race and ethnicity are not, themselves, risk factors for HIV 
infection. However, African Americans are more likely to face 
challenges associated with risk for HIV infection, including poverty, 
denial and discrimination, partners at risk, substance abuse, and 
sexually transmitted disease connection.
  Globally more than 16 million people have died of AIDS and more than 
16,000 people become newly infected each day.
  It is imperative for us to take immediate steps to address these 
alarming statistics. As a former nurse and Chair of the Congressional 
Black Caucus, I supported funding increases for the Minority AIDS 
Initiative and the Housing Opportunities for Persons, which is the only 
federal housing program that provides comprehensive, community-based 
HIV-specific housing programs.
  I have always supported the four main lines of action created by an 
International Partnership against AIDS: encouraging visible and 
sustained political support; helping to develop nationally negotiated 
joint plans of action; increasing financial resources; and 
strengthening national and regional technical capacity.
  We must make an ongoing commitment toward working diligently to find 
a cure for this very fatal epidemic. We must strongly encourage more 
widespread support for those who are living with this horrifying 
disease.

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