World AIDS Day 2011 (Dec. 1)

Below are quotes for World AIDS Day for attribution to:

Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H, Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Kevin Fenton, M.D., Director of the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Jonathan Mermin, M.D., Director of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

On Vital Signs

“While we have known that viral suppression can be achieved with proper HIV treatment and care, today’s new Vital Signs data highlight the challenges our country faces in keeping HIV-positive Americans in the care they need to control the virus,” said CDC Director Thomas R. Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “By improving testing, linkage to care, and treatment services, we can help people living with HIV feel better and live longer, and can reduce the spread of HIV dramatically. This is not just an individual responsibility, but a responsibility for families, partners, communities and health care providers.”

“Closing the gaps in testing, access to care, and treatment will all be essential to slowing the U.S. HIV epidemic,” said Jonathan Mermin, M.D., director of CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention. “HIV testing is the most important first step toward breaking the cycle of transmission. Combined with effective prevention services, linkage to care, and ongoing effective treatment, testing provides a gateway to the most effective prevention tools at our disposal.”

On Testing Makes Us Stronger

“Black gay and bisexual men across the country are already doing many of the right things to protect themselves – but more need to make HIV testing a regular part of their lives,” said Kevin Fenton, M.D., director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and Tuberculosis Prevention. “Testing Makes Us Stronger was designed by black gay men for black gay men and strives to communicate the power of knowing your HIV status as a first step toward staying healthy.”

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES