Title
To honor and recognize the 1st Annual National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day hosted by Ebony Sisters Campaigning for AIDS Prevention Education (ESCAPE) on this 10th day of March 2006.
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WHEREAS, African Americans have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, accounting for nearly half of all AIDS cases in the United States while representing only 13 percent of the population: and
WHEREAS, Among African American women ages 25-34 AIDS is one of the leading causes of death today; and
WHEREAS, With education and behavior modification, women can lessen their risk for HIV and other STDs; and
WHEREAS, Early HIV testing and treatment for people diagnosed with HIV are two of the primary factors enabling HIV infected people to live longer and healthier lives; and
WHEREAS, Stigma and discrimination persist as major problems facing those living with HIV/AIDS today. Stigma is another reason that many people will not get tested; and
WHEREAS, we want to express our support for (ESCAPE) and their initiatives to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in the African American community and provide treatment and support services to the victims of the disease; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this Council does hereby honor and congratulate the 1st Annual National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day hosted by Ebony Sisters Campaigning for AIDS Prevention Education (ESCAPE) on this 10th day of March 2006.