Political Quotes

“Whereas the number of human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (hereafter ``HIV/AIDS'') cases among American Indian and Alaska Native communities has been increasing at an alarming rate and poses a significant threat to the public health of Native communities; Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives have the 3rd highest rate of HIV/AIDS infection in the United States, after Blacks and Hispanics; Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report published in 2005, the rate per 100,000 persons of HIV/AIDS diagnosis for American Indians and Alaska Natives was 10.4; Whereas American Indians and Alaska Natives experience the highest disease and mortality rates in the United States compared to other racial and ethnic groups, due to socioeconomic factors that include consistently high rates of poverty, inadequate education, and a lack of access to quality health services; Whereas certain risk factors exist among Indian and Alaska Native populations that elevate the threat of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, including high rates of sexually transmitted diseases and substance abuse;”