The state of HIV/AIDS in America
World AIDS Day
December 1, 2005

December 1 – World AIDS Day – this is a day that we stop and recognize the work of those in the United States that are living with HIV, remember those who have lost their fight and applaud those who work in this field 365 days a year.

We are truly thankful for the lifesaving drugs that are providing HIV+ clients with a quality of life that we 15 years ago we could only dream of. We are thankful for clinics funded through the Ryan White Care Act that care for HIV+ people regardless of their financial means. We are thankful for the research that goes into every new drug that is developed. Aside from these facts, there are many problems with our HIV safety net in the United States .

  • The Ryan White Care Act, the heart of the federal response to AIDS, has been virtually flat-funded for the last five years and Congress has yet to reauthorize the program, which expired September 30. Meanwhile, more than 2,000 people in nine states are on waiting lists for the drugs through the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). 300 of those 2,000 are on Alabama 's waiting list. 39 of these clients are AAC/Davis Clinic clients.
  • Medicaid, the largest funding source for AIDS care, is slated for $11 billion in spending cuts-many of which will hurt the poorest and sickest of Medicaid beneficiaries, including those with HIV/AIDS.
  • The proposed budget for the National Institutes of Health is inadequate to keep pace with scientific developments in HIV research – the research that could lead to more effective treatments and a vaccine.

More than a million Americans are known to be living with HIV/AIDS, and there are 40,000 new infections every year. In the U.S. there are 5-7 people for every one person infected that do not know their HIV status. According to U.N. figures, over 90 percent of all those who are HIV-positive in the world do not know their status. In 2005, AAC has tested over 1,200 people – But many more need to be tested.

The Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and the HIV Medicine Association support efforts to make HIV testing a routine part of medical care. We all see that people rarely agree to HIV testing unless they know that they will have access to health care. Unless there are significant changes in federal policy, we may be unable to guarantee access. The AIDS Action Coalition was federally funded through the Ryan White Care Act in 2000, funded for 198 clients. Today, AAC/Davis Clinic is caring for 511 unduplicated clients – 72 new clients this year.

The Message for December 2005 is to Know Your Status, Get Into Care If you are Positive and Show Compassion for Those Living with HIV/AIDS.

Mary Elizabeth Marr

Dining With Friends 2005

Dining With Friends 2005 was a terrific success. To date, $75,000 was raised. The Dessert Reception was held at Oakgrove Farm, hosted by State Senator Jeff Enfinger and Sonja Ferrell. The best estimate is that there were over 800 people in attendance. The DWF Committee headed up by Patrick Robbins was very pleased the support that the event brought to the AIDS Action Coalition. Patrick states, "We are thrilled at the success of Dining with Friends 2005! Not only did we surpass our original goal by more than 20%, we made many NEW friends, who might never have heard of the incredible work of the AAC. That growing tide of community-wide support will help the AAC continue to reach out to fulfill its mission: To end the suffering caused by HIV/AIDS."

It seems hard to believe that the evening was a little cool, now that summer is here to stay, but it did not hurt the enthusiasm of our supporters. Microwave Dave played throughout the evening while supporters bid on wonderful auction items, munched on delicious desserts and sipped champagne.

The AIDS Action Coalition and Dining With Friends Committee would like to thank our volunteers, our Corporate Supporters – Fudgey Nut, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Ashley Furniture Homestore and Trace Parish. The many people who hosted dinner parties in their homes or opened their churches (Church of the Nativity and Unitarian Universalist Church), the many caterers who baked the wonderful desserts, the artists who created magical wine racks, those who donated auction items and those who came and supported the AIDS Action Coalition’s largest yearly fundraiser.

Stay tuned for upcoming information about Dining With Friends 2006.