HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC IN THE UNITED STATES

The first cases of what would later become known as AIDS were reported in the U.S. in June of 1981. Over half a million Americans have died of AIDS since the epidemic began.

The statistics are staggering:

· The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that as many as 950,000 Americans are living with HIV, and more than one-third of them do not know it.

· Each year, over 40,000 people in the U.S. become infected with HIV, a rate that has remained virtually unchanged in recent years. Seventy percent are men and thirty percent are women. Of these, half are younger than 25 years of age.

· Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) account for the largest number of people reported with AIDS each year, nearly half of all AIDS cases. Already over 250,000 MSM in the U.S. have already died from this disease.

· Communities of color are disproportionately affected by the epidemic, representing both the majority of new AIDS cases and of Americans living with AIDS in the U.S.:

More than half of all new HIV infections occur in African Americans, who make up 12 percent of the U.S. population. AIDS is the fifth leading cause of death of African Americans ages 25-44, and is the number one cause of death in African American men of all ages.

Nineteen percent of new HIV infections occur in Latinos, who make up 13 percent of the U.S. population. AIDS is the third leading cause of death among Latinos ages 35-44.

Key Messages for HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day provides a platform from which to speak about the value of HIV vaccine research, the commitment to find vaccines that work and the advances that are being made. Some key messages to disseminate to your community include:

· The AIDS crisis is not over; an HIV preventive vaccine is the best hope for slowing the spread of HIV.
· Currently, there is no HIV vaccine available.
· You can help by becoming educated about HIV vaccines, and helping to educate others.
· HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is an opportunity to thank the thousands of volunteers and researchers who contribute to the progress being made in finding an HIV vaccine every day.

Key theme messages for HIV Vaccine Awareness Day 2004 are:

Real People
Thousands of clinical trial volunteers, scientists and health professionals are working hard to realize the promise of HIV vaccines that will only be realized by years of research and community involvement. HIV Vaccine Awareness Day is an opportunity to say “thank you” to those responsible for the progress that has been made thus far.

Real Progress
Each day, progress is being made in the search for an HIV vaccine. While no vaccine exists yet, scientists believe they are getting closer to finding an effective preventive HIV vaccine and are working to speed up the research process. More vaccines are being tested than ever before, and the number of HIV vaccine trial sites is expanding worldwide.

All Americans, especially at-risk populations, including communities of color and those who are sexually active, need to learn more about HIV vaccine research, get involved and be a part of making an HIV vaccine a reality. Although research for an HIV vaccine is underway, we still need to support prevention efforts as well as care and treatment programs.