December 3, 2004

AIDS Action’s Releases New “Snapshots” of the U.S. HIV Epidemic

Washington, DC – Today, AIDS Action released an updated version of one of the most effective tools available for domestic HIV advocacy and education: the 2004 State Fact Sheets. Produced on an annual basis, AIDS Action’s State Fact Sheets contain HIV and AIDS related data from every U.S. state and territory.

Annually, AIDS Action collects from each U.S. state and territory the most recent data available on the demographics and epidemiology of the epidemic and on the federal government’s disbursement of funding for HIV programs at the state level. These data are then used to create individual fact sheets for all 54 states and territories as well as a composite fact sheet of the United States overall. This year, AIDS Action has included a new addition to the State Fact Sheets: a section defining the different HIV reporting options available to states and territories: name-based, code-based, and name-to-code-based. All 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands now report HIV infections in combination with AIDS diagnoses to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“Each State Fact Sheet presents its data in a user-friendly format that pairs clear graphics with explanatory text that is thorough and concise, which makes them extremely valuable references for advocates, legislators, and policymakers alike,” stated Marsha A. Martin, DSW, executive director of AIDS Action. “They’re like snapshots — it takes only a few moments to review one of our State Fact Sheets, but in that brief period of time, you can absorb a great deal of information,” she continued.

“The State Fact Sheets are truly unique,” observed Craig Thompson, executive director of AIDS Project Los Angeles and board chair of the AIDS Action Council. “There is no other tool out there that offers such a useful combination of clear-cut statistics about the impact of HIV/AIDS on our country and our government’s response to the epidemic. I know that the latest State Fact Sheets will be a welcome addition to many advocates’ resources,” he added.

All the updated State Fact Sheets can be accessed online at http://www.aidsaction.org as of 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 3, 2004.

AIDS Action strives to end the HIV epidemic by advancing public policies that prevent new infections, provide care for people living with HIV, and support the search for a cure. AIDS Action serves as the national voice for people living with HIV and represents AIDS service organizations, health departments, and a diverse network of community-based organizations across the country.