releases: https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-joins-cbc-in-declaring-state-of-emergency-in-minority-communities-for-hiv/aids
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://lee.house.gov/news/press-releases/congresswoman-barbara-lee-joins-cbc-in-declaring-state-of-emergency-in-minority-communities-for-hiv/aids | CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA LEE JOINS CBC IN DECLARING STATE OF EMERGENCY IN MINORITY COMMUNITIES FOR HIV/AIDS | 2001-05-27 | 2001 | 2001-05 | Democrat | House | CA | Barbara Lee | L000551 | lee.house.gov | legacy | 05.27.01 CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA LEE JOINS CBC IN DECLARING STATE OF EMERGENCY IN MINORITY COMMUNITIES FOR HIV/AIDS Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Task Force on Global HIV/AIDS joined the CBC to call on the Bush Administration to declare a State of Emergency in minority communities as it relates to HIV/AIDS. According to a June report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, more than 50% of the estimated 40,000 new HIV infections each year occur among African Americans. An estimated 1 in 50 African American men and 1 in 160 African American women are infected with HIV. Black males ages 13-24 comprised 37% of AIDS cases for their age group, and Black females accounted for 59% of AIDS cases among females in the same age group. African American children (under the age of 13) represent almost two-thirds (64%) of all reported pediatric HIV cases in the United States. "The urgency to call for a State of Emergency on HIV/AIDS in Minority communities is clear," said Lee. "Racial and ethnic minorities continue to be disproportionately impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States, and we need to direct our resources towards those communities hit hardest." Although African-Americans represent only 12% of the population of the United States, they account for 47% of new AIDS cases. Hispanics represent only 13% of the population, but they account for 19% of new AIDS cases. Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Native Americans account for only 1% of new AIDS cases. However, due to the lack of detailed HIV surveillance, under-reporting, and mis-classification by race, the true impact of this epidemic remains hidden in these communities. Through a community wide initiative, a state of emergency task force was formed and on November 4, 1998, and the Alameda County Public Health Officer declared a Public Health Emergency on AIDS in Alameda County's African American Community. In the three years since Alameda County declared a public health emergency, HIV/AIDS prevention resources and efforts have been widely expanded and infection rates in the African American community are slowly decreasing. "HIV can be prevented and AIDS is a manageable disease. "We must do all we can to eradicate both from the face of the earth," said Lee. "Declaring a State of Emergency is beginning to work in Alameda County and it can work throughout the country." ### Next Article | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |