ADOPTED - NOVEMBER 27, 2001

Agenda Item No. 14



Introduced by the Human Services Committee of the:



INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS



RESOLUTION OBSERVING DECEMBER 1, 2001 AS "WORLD AIDS DAY"

IN INGHAM COUNTY



RESOLUTION #01-350



WHEREAS, the global epidemic of HIV infection and AIDS requires a worldwide effort to increase communication, education and united action to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS; and



WHEREAS, UNAIDS estimates that over 36 million people worldwide are currently living with HIV/AIDS, with young people under the age of 25 accounting for more than half of all new infections; and



WHEREAS, the American Association for World Health is encouraging a better understanding of the challenge of HIV/AIDS nationally as it recognizes that the number of people diagnosed with HIV and AIDS in the United States continues to increase, with up to 900,000 people infected across the nation; and



WHEREAS, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) observes December 1 of each year as World AIDS Day, a day to expand and strengthen worldwide efforts to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS; and



WHEREAS, World AIDS Day provides an opportunity to focus local, national and international attention to HIV infection and AIDS and to disseminate information on how to prevent the spread of HIV; and



WHEREAS, half of all new HIV infections in the United States are among young Americans under the age of 25, the World AIDS Day 2001 theme, "I Care...Do You" Youth and AIDS in the 21st Century urges all youth and those who influence them to increase their awareness of the risk of HIV/AIDS for themselves and to use their influence on their families, among friends and within the community to help in the battle against the HIV/AIDS epidemic.



THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners designate December 1, 2001 at World AIDS Day in Ingham County and urges all citizens to take part in activities and observances designed to increase awareness and understanding of HIV/AIDS as a global challenge, to take part in HIV/AIDS prevention activities and programs and to join the global effort to prevent further spread of HIV/AIDS.



HUMAN SERVICES: Yeas: Czarnecki, Dedden, Severino, Hertel, Celentino

Nays: None Absent: None Approved 11/19/01