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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING WORLD AIDS DAY 2024
WHEREAS, World AIDS Day is observed on December 1st each year and serves as a day of solidarity for people around the world who are currently affected by HIV and to remember those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses; and
WHEREAS, the first World AIDS Day took place in 1988, providing a platform to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS and honor the lives affected by the epidemic; and
WHEREAS, since the first World AIDS Day over 35 years ago, continual progress has been made in preventing, detecting, and treating HIV - greatly reducing annual HIV diagnoses and transmissions; and
WHEREAS, for example, HIV.gov reports that estimated new HIV infections have declined 12% from 2017 to 2021; and
WHEREAS, this progress is thanks to organizations that tirelessly work to combat this virus, including the Cook County Health Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center, which was founded by the Cook County Bureau of Health Services to focus on the prevention, care, and research of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases; and
WHEREAS, since it opened its doors in 1998, the CORE Center has remained one of the largest HIV/AIDS clinics in the United States and treats more than 6,000 patients annually; and
WHEREAS, through partnerships with people living with HIV, community-based organizations, health care providers, government agencies and others, Illinois has dramatically shifted the impact of HIV/AIDS across the state through Getting to Zero Illinois, a state-wide initiative to end the HIV epidemic in the state by 2030, which is coordinated through organizations such as the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the Illinois and Chicago Departments of Public Health; and
WHEREAS, despite these advancements, over 39 million people worldwide continue to live with HIV, including more than one million people in the United States; and
WHEREAS, according to the Global Burden of Disease study, nearly one million people die yearly from HIV/AIDS; and
WHEREAS, stigma, discrimination, and health access disparities remain formidable barriers to effective HIV testing, prevention, and care,
WHEREAS, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, as of 2019 though only 13 percent of the U.S. population is Black, they account for 42.1 percent of HIV infection cases; and
WHEREAS, roughly 13% of those with HIV in the U.S. don’t know they have it and need testing; and
WHEREAS, in honor of the 37th commemoration of this important day, this year’s theme for World AIDS Day is “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress” encapsulating the dedication to harnessing the significant progress that has been made through global and domestic HIV programs over the last four decades while continuing to innovate and adapt initiatives based on new scientific advancements, implementation research, and lessons learned from programs in the field; and
WHEREAS, thanks to these improvements in detection, treatment, and the advent of combination antiretroviral therapy to treat HIV, those infected with the virus have been living longer and experiencing fewer of the medical conditions directly attributable to HIV infection and AIDS; and
WHEREAS, through remembrance, we draw strength and determination to redouble our efforts in fighting the disease and providing support to those living with HIV; and
WHEREAS, through commitment, we acknowledge our collective responsibility to act, whether through working to improve health equity, promoting education and awareness, or supporting organizations that work tirelessly to serve those at risk and living with HIV;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim December 1st, 2024, to be World AIDS Day in both commitment and remembrance of all those impacted by HIV and AIDS-related illnesses; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that suitable copies of this proclamation be given to local organizations serving those impacted by HIV and AIDS-related illnesses.
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