NAACP Commemorates 30 Years in the Fight Against the HIV/AIDS Epidemic and Rededicates Itself to Mobilizing its Units and Providing Leadership in the Black Community on this Crisis

WHEREAS, June 5, 2011 marks the 30th anniversary of the first diagnosed case of AIDS, in the United States, which was reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) June 1981; and

WHEREAS, every 9 minutes, someone in the United States is infected with HIV; and

WHEREAS, African Americans represent 12-13% of the population but account for nearly 50% of the new HIV infections in the United States; and

WHEREAS, according to a 2009 research report entitled "HIV Surveillance Report" published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 32 Black women and 1 in 16 Black men will be diagnosed with having HIV during their lifetime; and

WHEREAS, HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death among Black women ages 25-34 years old and the second leading cause of death of Black men ages 35-44 years-of-age; and

WHEREAS, Black women are disproportionately affected representing over 50% of new infections nationally; and

WHEREAS, the HIV/AIDS crisis is rising among youth and seniors over the age of 50; and

WHEREAS, young Black MSM (men having sex with men) ages 13-29 represent 52% of new HIV infections; and

WHEREAS, 70% of all HIV infection is from heterosexual sex; and

WHEREAS, for definitive change, interventions must occur at the societal, community and individual levels for the greatest impact.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP and local units join forces with partnering health, civic and civil rights groups to publicly speak out in support of strategic programs and resources that promote regular HIV testing and prevention education in their respective communities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP continue supporting federal and state policies that promote holistic approaches towards medical, economic, legal and housing components for HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP, through its active units, will mobilize communities to reduce stigma, discrimination, myths, and shame around HIV/AIDS by promoting inclusion and acceptance of all people regardless of how the HIV virus was contracted and regardless of their HIV status; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP will advocate that the state and federal government secure available resources to maintain the current AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and reduce the amount of federal funding cuts to this program; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP commemorates 30 years in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic and rededicates itself to providing leadership, mobilizing its units and strengthening the capacity of our national and community partners in education and advocacy that are committed to ensuring the eradication of the spread of HIV/AIDS in African American communities and throughout the world.