We Demand HIV Prevention Funding for Philadelphia

Budget Cuts to HIV Testing and Prevention in Philadelphia

Dear Govenor Ed Rendell,

This letter shall provide permanent record of the People of the City of Philadelphia's' noble efforts in combating HIV/ AIDS in the year 2011. More specifically it is meant to address the budget cuts of two million dollars in previously authorized funds for HIV Prevention and testing for the State of Pennsylvania and future cuts in spending for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Testing planned for the fiscal year of 2011.
Of the $2 million dollars in Pennsylvania State budget cuts on Prevention and Testing (80% =1.8 mil,) of the prevention cuts are targeted against Philadelphia. Philadelphia has approximately 50% of the HIV/AIDS cases in the state.
As of 2007 (latest statewide data found online at Kaiser and using the Philadelphia Epidemiological Profile, Philadelphia had 19,624 cumulative AIDS cases of the 35,489 cases statewide (55%), and for 2007 Philadelphia had 675 new AIDS cases of the 1,750 cases statewide (39%).
We have created a good working model of networking AIDS Service Organizations. These dynamic non-profits have evolved and developed relationships with-in communities and neighborhoods. They have shattered the sigma' on HIV / AIDS and promoted testing, prevention and risk reduction. It has been and continues to be an uphill battle.
The drops in rate of infection for high risk groups in some cases has stabilized or has been reduced(Such as in IV drug Users) . This is a direct result of HIV Testing, Prevention campaigns and Harm Reduction programs. However where prevention and out reach techniques are still being developed (Such as with African American Men who have Sex with Men) the numbers are higher nationally and in Philadelphia.
This is no time to draw resources away from HIV Prevention and Testing. Philadelphia (An epicenter of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in our state and in our nation) is in a pitched battle with AIDS and no one profits or saves a penny if the disease is not fully contained and eradicated.
We have a population of adults to be screened and educated. We also have a responsibility to our youth to warn, educate and test.
Less testing equals more undetected HIV infections and greater risk for new infections. The price for prevention beats out the price of expensive Life Long, AIDS drugs and other health care expenses that each new HIV infection brings.
AIDS is not over and with out your intervention in restoring budget cuts to HIV prevention and testing. Infection and health care costs are sure to rise for all Pennsylvanians.

[Your name]