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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 11-16-1999 - 5bORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Action Agenda Item No. S- % ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: November 16, 1999 SUBJECT: World AIDS Day Proclamation DEPARTMENT: Health PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) ly ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Proclamation Rosemary Summers TELEPHONE NUMBERS: - - ext. 2411 Hillsborough 732 -8181 Chapel Hill 968 -4501 Durham 688 -7331 Mebane 227 -2031 PURPOSE: To consider proclaiming December 1 as World AIDS Day in Orange County. BACKGROUND: The US Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the United Nations recognize HIV and AIDS as a continuing and growing problem both in the nation and globally. The Orange County Health Department is participating with a number of community organizations in planning awareness activities regarding HIV and AIDS. There will be an interdenominational service at Binkley Baptist Church in Chapel Hill on November 30 that will kick -off community events relating to this issue. FINANCIAL IMPACT: None RECOMMENDATON(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the resolution. \ \WH=D 1\ SYS\ DOHADMMOSIE \BOCC \1999AA \1199AIDS.doc 2 WORLD AIDS DAY • DECEMBER 1, 1999 Whereas the global spread of HIV infection and AIDS necessitates a worldwide effort to increase communication, education and action to stop the spread of HIV /AIDS; and, Whereas the joint United Nations Program on HIV /AIDS (UNAIDS) observes December 1 of each year as World AIDS Day; and, Whereas UNAIDS estimates that 33.4 million people 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 688,200 AIDS cases reported as of December, 1998; and, Whereas World AIDS day provides an opportunity to focus on HIV infection and AIDS, caring for people with HIV infection and AIDS, and learning about HIV and AIDS; and, Whereas the 1999 World AIDS Day theme, AIDS — End the Silence, Listen, Live! encourages us to (a) listen to young people, hear their views and concerns, and engage them in conversation about issues concerning sex, sexuality, and HIV /AIDS; (b) learn from one another about respect, participating, support, and ways to prevent HIV infection; and (c) live in a world where fewer people are infected with HIV, where the rights of young people are protected, and where those living with HIV /AIDS are cared for and are free from discrimination; and, Whereas 136 Orange County residents are currently living with HIV /AIDS and another 62 have died. Now, therefore, be it proclaimed that we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners do hereby declare that Orange County will observe World AIDS day on December 1, 1999; we urge 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 the further spread of HIV /AIDS. Alice Gordon, Chair Orange County Commissioners