Committee on Health

Council of the District of Columbia

Greetings from the Committee on Health!

As many of you know, Councilmember Catania and the Committee on Health are dedicated to
combating HIV/AIDS here in the District. In fact over the past several years the District has increased
HIV/AIDS programs including the Effi Barry Initiative, social marketing campaigns including the RealTALK
text messaging program, and increased peer education training and nurse training on HIV/AIDS
education. From 2004-2008 there was a 33.2% decrease in the number of newly reported AIDS cases in
the District and the percentage of individuals who progressed from HIV-positive status to an AIDS
diagnosis within 12 months decreased from 47% in 2004 to 29.5% in 2007.

Because of this work, Councilmember is looking forward to 2012 when the District of Columbia and the
United States will host the International AIDS Conference sponsored by the International AIDS Society.
The International AIDS Society is one of the world’s leading independent associations of professionals
dedicated to combating the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. Currently IAS has over 14,000 members from
196 countries. IAS engages in a number of activities to connect the foremost professionals in this field
from around the world to bring the best solutions to all parts of the world. In addition, IAS promotes
dialogue and networking between professionals while also working towards professional development
and skills building. They also seek to close the gaps in knowledge and expertise at all levels of the
response to this epidemic.

In preparation for the conference in 2012, a number of the District’s local community based
organizations banded together to form the AIDS 2012 DC Community Coalition. This coalition will take
an active role in the upcoming years, at the conference, and in its aftermath to highlight the epidemic in
the District, show the progress that has been made in this fight, and to use the conference to bring
together resources and opportunities to combat HIV/AIDS here in the District.

On Tuesday October 26 the Conference Coordinating Committee for the 2012 International AIDS
Conference met for the first time here in the District to begin the initial programming and logistical
planning for the conference. To welcome this international group to the District, Chairman Gray and
Councilmember Catania along with the AIDS 2012 DC Community Coalition hosted a reception bringing
together the Conference Coordinating Committee and all community based organizations for a night of
networking and dialogue. Numerous organizations came to the John A. Wilson Building to take
advantage of this opportunity to show not just the dedication of the district to combating HIV/AIDS, but
also to show the cohesion and drive of local groups to be actively involved in the Conference and all the
benefits it will bring globally, nationally, and locally. Highlights of the events included comments from
Dr. Pierre Vigilance, director the Department of Health; Dr. Elias of the HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and TB
Administration; Tanchica Terry of the Committee on Health; A. Toni Young of Community Education
Group and the AIDS 2012 DC Community Coalition; Elly Katabira chair of AIDS 2012 and the IAS
President Elect; and finally Diane Havlir local Co-Chair of AIDS 2012.

As always, if you or your organizations have any upcoming events please let me know and I will do my
best to add them to the newsletter. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please don’t
hesitate to call or email.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Have a wonderful weekend.

Jonathan Antista
Staff Assistant, Committee on Health
Councilmember David A. Catania, Chair
1350 Pennsylvania Ave N.W. Suite 115
Washington, D.C. 20004
202-724-8170
jantista@dccouncil.us