[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14381-14382]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       HIV/AIDS IN THE CARIBBEAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2001

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, while we take into account the millions who 
die each year in Africa from this deadly disease we know as HIV/AIDS, 
we must also focus our attention on the Caribbean, as the second 
largest population to become infected with this devastating disease, as 
reported in the front page of the Washington Post yesterday, for those 
who may have missed it, I submit it for the record.

[[Page 14382]]

  Two-thirds of all those diagnosed with the AIDS virus in the 
Caribbean are dead within two years. What is even more outrageous is 
that AIDS is the leading cause of death in the Caribbean for those aged 
15 to 45 and the numbers are growing.
  About one in every 50 people in the Caribbean, or 2% of the 
population has AIDS or is infected with HIV, the virus which causes 
AIDS; more than 4% in the Bahamas, and 13% among urban adults in Haiti.
  The UN estimates that there were 9,600 children infected in the 
Caribbean. Further, the Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) as well 
estimates that the overall child mortality rate will increase 60% by 
2010 if treatment is not improved.
  Clearly, there is a need not only for the United States government's 
assistance but also for those major private foundations that provide 
AIDS money for Africa to also develop programs that will come to the 
aid of those in the Caribbean.
  I proudly commend Congresswoman Donna Christensen and her efforts to 
raise awareness in the community, as this disease is kept silent. I 
also commend the government of the Bahamas as being the only country in 
the region that has offered universal antiretroviral treatment over the 
last several years.
  While we simply take medical services and treatment for granted in 
this country, as the number of AIDS cases decreases per year in North 
America and increases in the Caribbean; it is our obligation to help 
provide assistance to these governments in order for them to provide a 
simple service to their people, enabling them to live prosperous and 
healthy lives.

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