KDHE Home - News 2001 - New Release
Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor
Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE ON:
December 1, 2001
Contact: Mike Heideman, 785-296-5795
The 14th annual World AIDS Day will be observed on Dec. 1. This year's theme is "I Care, Do You? -- Youth & AIDS in the 21st Century." The purpose of World AIDS Day is to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS globally, in the U.S. and in Kansas. Half of the people newly infected with HIV in the U.S. are under age 25, and an estimated 250,000 young Americans are unaware that they are infected with HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
"In Kansas, 11 percent of the newly reported HIV infections are in people younger than 25, but that does not tell the whole story. We have to ask ourselves, are youth who are at risk for HIV getting tested?" said Karl Milhon, Director of the Kansas HIV/STD Program. "Individuals who are at risk should recognize that risk and get tested."
Milhon said that trends in Kansas HIV infection rates, particularly increases among women and minority populations, have historically been first noted in other areas of the country. Because of this, Milhon stated, "it is reasonable to believe that the current nationwide increase in the youth HIV rate could become apparent in Kansas."
The rates of infection in minority populations are disproportionately higher compared to the state population as a whole. As of June 30, 2001, 34 percent of HIV cases and 25 percent of AIDS cases reported in Kansas were among members of minority populations. AIDS cases usually are the result of HIV infections that occurred several years ago. This 9 percent difference between the proportion of HIV and AIDS cases among minorities suggests an increase in the rate of new HIV infections among minority populations. Similarly, as of June 30, 2001 20 percent of HIV cases reported and 10 percent of AIDS cases reported in Kansas were in women, suggesting an increase in the rate of new HIV infections among women.
The CDC estimates that 40,000 new infections are occurring each year in the U.S. As of 2000, 36.1 million men, women, and children worldwide are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS, and 21.8 million have died from AIDS.
For more information on HIV prevention, testing, and care services in your area, please contact the KDHE HIV/STD program at 785-296-6173 or search local resources on the KDHE Web site at http://www.kdheks.gov/hiv/.