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PRINTER'S NO. 4301
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
983
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY SIMS, A. DAVIS, KOSIEROWSKI, BURGOS, WEBSTER,
HILL-EVANS, KULIK, KINSEY, BURNS, LONGIETTI, McCARTER, CRUZ,
McNEILL, FREEMAN, ROZZI, HOHENSTEIN, DRISCOLL, HOWARD,
INNAMORATO, BROOKS, DEASY, NEILSON, LEE, ZABEL, DELLOSO,
GREEN, SANCHEZ AND McCLINTON, AUGUST 28, 2020
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
AUGUST 28, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing September 18, 2020, as "HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness
Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Approximately 38 million people in the world live
with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a virus that affects
the immune system by attacking its most important cells and
weakening the body's response to infection; and
WHEREAS, HIV is carried for life and can often manifest into
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), as well as
noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and
arthritis; and
WHEREAS, Individuals of any age, race, sex or sexual
orientation can be infected with HIV/AIDS, however, one is of
greatest risk if one engages in unprotected sex, has a sexually
transmitted infection or uses IV drugs; and
WHEREAS, It is now estimated that 1.2 million United States
citizens currently live with HIV, with one in seven individuals
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not aware of their condition and in need of testing; and
WHEREAS, Many older adults are often just as much at risk as
younger adults because they are unaware of the symptoms and
prevention methods for HIV/AIDS; and
WHEREAS, Older adults are more likely to have late-stage HIV
infection when diagnosed, and they experience the largest
diagnosis delay compared to any other age group, which means
they start treatment late and possibly suffer more immune system
damage; and
WHEREAS, Older HIV patients and their health care providers
should discuss prevention and care efforts for other diseases
that they are at risk for given their age, including
cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and osteoporosis; and
WHEREAS, Due to modern science and research, people living
with HIV that have access to treatments are now able to live
long and healthy lives; and
WHEREAS, In 2018, 37,968 individuals received an HIV
diagnosis in the United States, although from 2014 through 2018,
the annual number and rate of diagnoses of HIV infection in the
United States decreased with varying trends for different
subgroups; and
WHEREAS, Of the 37,968 HIV diagnoses in 2018, adults 50 years
of age or older accounted for approximately 17% of new cases;
and
WHEREAS, Days committed to educating the nation on HIV and
AIDS have included "National HIV Testing Day," "National Gay
Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day" and "World AIDS Day," which began
in 1988; and
WHEREAS, "HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day" seeks to educate
Pennsylvanians about HIV and what we as a Commonwealth can do to
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educate, prevent and treat this disease among our older adult
population; and
WHEREAS, It is important that we as a Commonwealth know the
history behind HIV and how it has impacted our State, country
and the world; and
WHEREAS, "HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day" is an opportunity
for individuals in this Commonwealth to show their support for
older adults living with HIV, promote HIV testing, educate
others on HIV and remember those whose lives were lost to this
debilitating disease; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
September 18, 2020, as "HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day" in
Pennsylvania.
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