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Catania Releases Statement on District’s 2008 HIV/AIDS Epidemiology Report |
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Report Shows Scope of Epidemic, Underscores Benefit of Increased Testing and Surveillance
Washington, D.C. – Today, Councilmember David Catania (At-Large) joined Mayor Adrian Fenty and officials from the Department of Health to release the District of Columbia 2008 HIV/AIDS Epidemiology Report. The report found that an alarming 3 percent of District residents are infected with HIV/AIDS. In conjunction with the release of the report, Catania, who chairs the Council’s Committee on Health, issued the following statement:
“This report offers a sobering look at the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the District and gives policymakers a better understanding of how the disease has evolved in our city. At a basic level, it confirms what I have long suspected: First, our HIV/AIDS rate is higher than we previously believed; and second, it is increasing the fastest in the heterosexual population. While I am obviously troubled by these findings, I am equally pleased that the District Government now has the expertise and resolve to produce such a thorough report.
Many governments resist efforts to report these data for fear that the results will be unfavorable to public leaders. I am thankful that we do not have that problem in the District of Columbia. Our policymakers understand that before we can effectively confront the disease, we must diagnose the extent of the problem. Accurate surveillance data is the lifeblood of a targeted response. I commend the Mayor, Dr. Pierre Vigilance, Director of the Department of Health, and Dr. Shannon Hader, Senior Deputy Director of the HIV/AIDS Administration for their continued focus on increased testing and monitoring. Much of the data contained in the report is a direct result of their proactive approach to surveillance. I look forward to utilizing what we have learned in the report to increase this government’s focus on prevention efforts.”
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 19 March 2009 )
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