Res. No. 1418

Resolution calling upon the Mayor of the City of New York to declare a state of emergency with respect to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the black MSM community in New York City, and urging the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to take necessary actions to address such health emergency.

By Council Members James, Brewer, Fidler, Mark-Viverito, Palma, Weprin, White Jr., and Vann.

Whereas, Since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began in the United States during the 1980s, men are the population group most affected by HIV and AIDS, particularly men who have sex with other men (MSM); and

Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), in 2006, men represented 73 percent of HIV/AIDS diagnoses nationally, and 69.7 percent of such diagnoses in New York City; and

Whereas, The CDC has also reported that male-to-male sexual contact is the most common mode of transmission for HIV and AIDS in the United States, accounting for 50 percent of the diagnoses for all adults and adolescents and 67 percent for males in 2006; and

Whereas, In addition to gender impact differences, racial disparities exist with regard to HIV infection rates; and

Whereas, The CDC has reported that the HIV/AIDS epidemic is a health crisis in the black community, as blacks, particularly black MSM, are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS as compared to members of other races and ethnicities; and

Whereas, In a CDC study that examined racial/ethnic disparities of HIV/AIDS diagnoses in 2005, blacks accounted for half of all AIDS cases, but made up only approximately 13 percent of the U.S. population; and

Whereas, According to the CDC, although the number of HIV diagnoses for MSM decreased during the 1980s and 1990s, statistical data indicates that HIV infection rates continue to increase among the black MSM population; and

Whereas, Of all black men living with HIV/AIDS in the United States, 48 percent contracted the disease through male-to-male sexual contact; and

Whereas, According to DOHMH, black MSM made up 42 percent of new HIV cases among males in New York City in 2006; and

Whereas, According to the CDC and the National Minority Aids Council, black MSM are less likely to identify as gay or disclose their sexual behavior to others because of the stigma attached to homosexuality, which has deterred such individuals from seeking appropriate health care and obtaining HIV testing; and

Whereas, Recent data by the CDC also indicated that compared to other racial/ethnic groups, black MSM are more likely to be diagnosed with HIV in the advanced stages after the infection has already progressed into AIDS, and are less likely to be aware of their HIV status prior to diagnosis; and

Whereas, These findings suggest that HIV-positive black MSM may not be accessing antiretroviral treatment and may be unknowingly transmitting HIV to sexual partners, indicating an urgent need to increase access for this population to HIV testing and quality health care services through which a diagnosis can be made earlier; and

Whereas, In keeping with the mission of DOHMH to protect and promote the health of all New Yorkers, it is imperative that DOHMH identify, develop and support effective strategies to address the spread of HIV among black MSM; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Mayor of the City of New York to declare a state of emergency with respect to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the black MSM community in New York City, and urges the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to take necessary actions to address such health emergency.

TC

LS# 5075

5/7/08

3:30 pm