Letter from Christine Quinn, Speaker

Dear Friend,
I thought you might be interested in reading the following news article.
Thank you.
- Sincerely, Christine C. Quinn, Speaker



New York Times
January 22, 2008
Letters

The Battle Against H.I.V.: No Letup

To the Editor:

In "H.I.V. Rises Among Young Gay Men" (editorial, Jan. 14), you correctly link the lack of a comprehensive H.I.V. and AIDS policy that focuses on the groups most at risk to the rise in AIDS cases nationwide.

It's heartening that New York City's health commissioner has raised the facts about the increase of H.I.V. and AIDS among the city's young gay population, and has pledged to address this issue. But until our national leadership implements policies that will help eradicate root causes such as stigma, discrimination, racism and poverty that mostly affect at-risk populations, we will continue to see a rise in AIDS cases nationwide.

A national approach supported by strong leadership in Congress and the White House - which includes collecting additional data on vulnerable populations, advances policies and financing, and supports front-line evidence-based interventions among grass-roots AIDS organizations - will help jump-start the next wave in the war against AIDS.

Kevin Robert Frost
Chief Executive, American Foundation for AIDS Research
New York, Jan. 14, 2008


To the Editor:

Your editorial suggests that a significant decline in H.I.V. among gay men over 30 might be the result of personal loss. Many of us, including men in their 50s like me, are still grieving; our friends are no longer with us, and we feel their absence in our lives every day.

Our goal is to remain H.I.V.-negative and to live. Casual sex is out. For us, the discussion and the debates are over.

Benjamin M. Hamilton
Astoria, Queens, Jan. 14, 2008



To the Editor:

Your editorial rightly expresses concern about the spike in H.I.V. among young gay men, but it does not mention the equally troubling increase in H.I.V. and AIDS among women, especially women of color.

A 2005 report by the New York State AIDS Advisory Council found that the proportion of newly reported AIDS cases involving women has more than tripled in New York, rising from 12 percent in 1986 to 34 percent in 2003.

In New York, women account for 48 percent of new H.I.V. infections among teenagers between ages 13 and 19, and 43 percent of new infections among young adults between ages 20 and 24, according to the report.

The problem is particularly acute in communities of color. Black and Hispanic women represent 86 percent of women who have been diagnosed with H.I.V. and AIDS in New York. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in 2004 H.I.V. infection was the leading cause of death among black women between the ages of 25 and 34.

H.I.V. and AIDS prevention strategies must include initiatives to stop the virus's spread among women. A good first step is to provide comprehensive sexuality education in schools, and ending the current ban on condom demonstrations.

We need to equip our children - male and female, gay and straight - with the information and skills to protect themselves against H.I.V. and AIDS.


Donna Lieberman
Executive Director
New York Civil Liberties Union
New York, Jan. 14, 2008


To the Editor:

The H.I.V. and AIDS epidemic continues to be one of the greatest health challenges facing our city, and providing resources for H.I.V. and AIDS prevention has been, and will continue to be, a major priority for the City Council.

The Council has financed H.I.V. and AIDS prevention and education services for communities of color and women; counseling and education services at hospitals; H.I.V. prevention and literacy for seniors; and needle exchange programs to prevent the spread of H.I.V. and AIDS through intravenous drug use. But despite the number of programs throughout New York City, it is extremely difficult to stop the spread of H.I.V. and AIDS unless people get tested.

In order to help New Yorkers, the City Council and the Health and Hospital Corporation announced additional Council financing of $5.6 million for public hospitals to expand rapid H.I.V. testing. This investment has helped the hospitals expand their reach beyond AIDS centers and prenatal care clinics to offer rapid H.I.V. testing to current hospital patients, visitors to the emergency rooms and outpatient clinics.

Rapid testing helped hospitals test almost 134,000 patients last year, and allowed doctors and counselors the chance to provide education and services on the spot if a person tested positive.

Increasing the availability of testing can be vital in the early detection of H.I.V., and early detection can be the crucial factor in fighting this devastating illness.

The only way to truly combat this crisis is to ensure that all New Yorkers take a simple first step - learn their H.I.V. status. Only then can we arm those residents who are positive with both the medication and education they need to keep themselves and their partners healthy.

Christine C. Quinn
Speaker, New York City Council
New York, Jan. 14, 2008