Press Releases

Congresswoman Wilson on World AIDS Day

To Find Your Local HIV Testing Center, Send a Text Message With Your Zip Code to “KNOWIT” (566948) or visit www.HIVTest.org

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson today issued the following statement on World AIDS Day 2011, observed each year on December 1^st:

“Today, we pause to remember the devastating toll that the HIV/AIDS epidemic has had on our community,” said Congresswoman Wilson. “We remember those who’ve lost their lives to the disease, as well as recommit ourselves to combating HIV/AIDS through both education and action.”

“The Black community has been especially ravaged by HIV/AIDS and prevention, testing, and treatment programs are vital in fighting the epidemic. This is why, as a state legislator, I sponsored legislation requiring HIV testing for prisoners re-entering society. I’ve also lobbied Congress for the passage of legislation allowing OraSure testing for HIV and providing funding for the HIV testing program at Jackson Memorial Hospital.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African Americans are disproportionately affected by the epidemic, accounting for nearly 50 percent of all HIV infections. In a 2009 study, 70% of all new infections among African Americans were Black men. HIV was third leading cause of death for African Americans ages 35 to 44 in 2007.

The CDC cites the lack of access to HIV education, quality health care, and awareness of HIV status as significant challenges to preventing the spread of HIV, stating that “stigma, fear, discrimination, homophobia, and negative perceptions about HIV testing can also place too many African Americans at higher risk.”

Congresswoman Wilson encourages everyone to do his or her part to combat the epidemic by getting tested. To find your local HIV testing center, send a text message with your zip code to “KNOWIT” (566948) or visit www.HIVtest.org

Rep. Frederica S. Wilson is a first-term congresswoman representing the 17^th District of Florida, including Northern Miami-Dade and Southeast Broward Counties. She is a former state legislator and school principal and the founder of the 5000 Role Models for Excellence Project, a mentoring program for young males at risk of dropping out of school.