AIDS
is an epidemic that should not be ignored. Although Africa holds
the highest population of people afflicted with AIDS, our country
has its own growing number of patients. In fact, our nation's
backyard has a ratio of one in 50 people diagnosed with AIDS.
The number does not include the unknown cases of HIV.
Additionally, Washington D.C. leads the country in the highest
rate of new AIDS cases (12 times the national average) with a
higher number of individuals living with AIDS with the exception
of nine states. Despite
the city’s initiative to curtail the problem, AIDS continue
to grow. For almost a decade, the city has invested approximately
$500 million on medical care, AIDS/HIV testing and counseling.
Certain health experts
think the problem is related to how city handled preventing
the spread of AIDS. For instance, Kim Mills of the Whitman-Walker
Clinic contends that the city failed to take basic steps in
prevention ñ by distributing condoms.
Wells is not the
only health expert who blames the municipality of Washington
DC. Even the D.C. Appleseed Center for Law and Justice agrees
that the government has neglected to lead and coordinate the
prevention of AIDS in the city. The organization responsible
for epidemiology and surveillance states that the city government
never monitored the AIDS epidemic properly. According to DC
Appleseed 50 percent of the agency's positions are not filled
in DC.
More importantly,
Appleseed projects that one in 20 residents have HIV in DC and
many citizens are unaware they have contracted the virus. With
proper education, distribution of condoms, clean needles, and
closer monitoring, AIDS can be prevented in Washington DC. An
HIV/AIDS test is recommended for any sexually active or drug
addicted needle user. |
