WHEREAS, according to estimates from the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, there are now more than 38 million people throughout the world living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); of these, 54% are women and girls; 1.7 million are children; 1.5 million new infections occurred among adults and children in 2021 alone; and

WHEREAS, in Utah, HIV incidence has not seen a significant decrease in new HIV infections when other metropolitan areas have; and

WHEREAS, in Utah, the rate of new HIV diagnoses with stage 3 infections has not decreased in the last five years; and

WHEREAS, up to 85 percent of people living with HIV in Utah reside along the Wasatch Front; and

WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that HIV related stigma has a significant negative impact on people living with HIV, increases new infections, and delays people seeking testing for HIV; and

WHEREAS, stigma, shame and fear make people less likely to discuss their sexual health with doctors and often leads to delays in seeking testing or treatment for sexually transmitted infections and HIV, which can have serious long-term health consequences; and

WHEREAS, despite rigorous testing of all donated blood, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have yet to rescind its recommendation that blood donation centers turn away members of the LGBTQ community, especially gay men and transgender people, increasing stigma; and

WHEREAS, people with HIV who take HIV medicine as prescribed maintain and keep an undetectable viral load, can live long and healthy lives, and will no transmit HIV to an HIV-negative partner; and

WHEREAS, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily regimen of two oral antiretroviral drugs in a single pill, has proven to be highly effective in preventing HIV infection for individuals at high risk, reducing the risk of acquiring HIV by up to 97 percent; and

WHEREAS, Salt Lake City supports the efforts of the Utah AIDS Foundation in their mission to provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS, and prevention services for those at risk for HIV. Salt Lake City also supports the important work of the Salt Lake County Health Departments STD (sexually transmitted disease) clinic, which provides testing for HIV at no cost; and

WHEREAS, the elimination of stigma in Utah will lead to better physical and mental health outcomes for people living with HIV, increased HIV disclosure, increased HIV testing and decreased HIV infections; and

WHEREAS, World AIDS Day was established in 1988 and is observed each year on December 1 to provide an opportunity for individuals and communities to take action and help educate for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care; and

WHEREAS, Salt Lake City has joined other cities around the world in an effort to increase awareness, reduce stigma, provide education about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate compassion for those affected by HIV.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Salt Lake City Council and Mayor of Salt Lake City hereby recognize December 1, 2022, as World AIDS Day in Salt Lake City and encourage all residents to unite together in the fight against HIV/AIDS, reduce the stigma of HIV/AIDS, and support those who are living with or have been affected by HIV/AIDS.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Salt Lake City urges the FDA to rescind its recommendation that blood
donation centers turn away donors in the LGBTQ community based solely on sexual history since according to the CDC all blood for transfusion is tested for evidence of certain infectious disease pathogens such as HIV.

Adopted this 22nd day of November 2022.

To view an electronic copy of the signed resolution click here.