Declaring December as World AIDS Day in Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, The concept of observing World AIDS Day was the brainchild of Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS, at the World Health Organization; and

WHEREAS, In 1988, at the World Summit of Ministers of Health, programs for AIDS prevention and the concept of a World AIDS Day was supported by all participating nations; and

WHEREAS, In October, the United Nations General Assembly formally recognized this concept and the World Health Organization declared December 1, 1988, as the first World AIDS Day; and

WHEREAS, In 1996, an organization known as the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (“UNAIDS”) was formed to plan and promote the awareness of World AIDS Day and in 1997, UNAIDS strove to create awareness regarding the causes of AIDS by propagating year-round communications through a campaign known as the World AIDS Campaign; and

WHEREAS, In addition to raising awareness, World AIDS Day is also about raising money, fighting prejudice, and improving education, because it is important to remind people that HIV has not gone away and there are many things that still need to be done; and

WHEREAS, Globally, approximately 38.4 million people were living with HIV at the end of 2021. An estimated 0.7% of adults aged 15-49 years worldwide are living with HIV; and

WHEREAS, According to the Philadelphia Department of Health, there are 18,798 people living with diagnosed HIV in Philadelphia, of which 439 were newly diagnosed in 2019. The largest burden of HIV disease remains among men who have sex with men. The increase in new HIV diagnoses among people who inject drugs persists; and

WHEREAS, To promote local awareness, AIDS Fund will again participate in a number of World AIDS Day events throughout the Philadelphia Region, displaying the AIDS Memorial Quilt, and providing opportunities for people to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and, commemorate those we've lost; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Declares and recognizes December as World AIDS Day.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to representatives of the AIDS Fund as a sincere expression of the City Council’s gratitude and appreciation for their ongoing efforts to raise awareness.

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