Communities Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief

More People Then Ever are Living With AIDS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 1.2 million Americans were living with HIV and AIDS in 2006. The CDC also estimates that over 437,000 people were living with AIDS, the most advanced form of HIV disease, in 2005––more people are now living with AIDS in the U.S. than at any other time in the epidemic.

Nearly Half a Million People with HIV in the U.S. Receive No HIV Care
The CDC estimates that 250,000 to 300,000 individuals diagnosed with HIV infection still receive no HIV-related medical treatment. Another 180,000–240,000 do not know even know they are infected, meaning that there are at least 430,000 people with HIV in the U.S. who are not receiving HIV-related medical care.

CDC Initiative Aims to Bring Thousands into Care
According to CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding, CDC’s “Advancing HIV Prevention” initiative aims “to open up the door to [HIV] testing so that people can learn their status and get the appropriate treatment and prevention services that they deserve and need.” Many, if not most, of the estimated 200,000 people living with HIV in the U.S. who are unaware of their HIV status that are diagnosed with HIV under the new CDC initiative will turn to health care providers funded through the CARE Act for their HIV-related care.

HIV/AIDS in the U.S. Increasingly Affects Communities of Color, As Well As Economically-Depressed and Other Underserved Communities
African Americans account for up to 50 percent of new HIV infections and Latinos account for 19 percent of new infections, though they account for only approximately 12 percent and 14 percent of the U.S. population, respectively. Hispanic and African American women account for 83 percent of new infections among females in the U.S. Approximately one in 50 African American males and one in 160 African American females is infected with HIV.

Almost Half of All People with HIV Start Treatment Too Late
According to a recent study, 40 percent of HIV-infected people in the U.S. begin antiretroviral treatment later than is recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service. Ryan White CARE Act programs have been proven to maximize cost effective services. Unfortunately, many programs are now reporting the need to limit, delay or restrict live saving treatments because of insufficient funding.

Public Programs are Key to Health Care Access
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, one in five people––20 percent–– with HIV receiving HIV-related care is uninsured and a total of 68 to 83 percent either rely on public-sector insurance programs or are uninsured.

Effective Treatments and Related Care are Expensive
While new treatments have helped extend the lives of some people with HIV/AIDS, these drugs are very expensive and difficult to take. Those taking the drugs require extensive medical monitoring and support services. According to a recent report by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the cost of HIV treatment and services averages $20,000 a year.

HIV/AIDS Treatment Requires Ongoing Clinical Management and Monitoring
Recent findings suggest that a significant number of people face the possibility that their HIV infections may become more difficult to treat due to opportunistic or comorbid diseases, including hepatitis, and resistance to anti-HIV drugs.