DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
WORLD AIDS DAY CEREMONY
Speaker
John Berry
Assistant Secretary - Policy, Management and Budget
John Berry, stressed that the goal is to create an environment in which children and adults with HIV or AIDS can live free from discrimination and, in order to achieve this, greater awareness and communication are essential. The stigma and myths surrounding HIV and AIDS is an example of the lack of education and communication. "Anyone can be at risk of HIV/AIDS if they engage in high risk behavior," said Mr. Berry. Factors known to promote the rapid spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic include poverty, discrimination, sexual inequality, inadequate health or social services, rapid urbanization, and a migrant labor force. Racial and ethnic minorities account for more than 50% of all AIDS cases although they account for only 25% of the US population.
In 1998, the President of the United States and the Congressional Black Caucus announced a new initiative to invest $156 million to improve the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS in African American and other minority communities. In 1999, the White House Office of National AIDS Policy announced a new $100 million initiative to address the AIDS crisis in Africa. "While much has improved, much still remains to be done, especially in the area of HIV prevention," said John Berry.