Washington, D.C. – Today is World AIDS Day and we join with people from all over the globe to remember those who we have lost and to recommit ourselves to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic and fighting the rise in other STDs.

According to the CDC, 700,000 people have died from HIV/AIDS in the United States since this epidemic began and 1.2 million are currently living with HIV.  Often, an HIV diagnosis follows a positive test for an STD.  Recent CDC surveillance data shows the highest combined rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis (STDs) in the U.S. in 20 years, disproportionately affecting young people ages 15-24.

“As we mark World AIDS Day, now is not the time to reduce funding for combatting these diseases,” says David C. Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD).  We call upon President-Elect Trump and Congress to reverse the 2017 Senate funding cut and provide at least $8.1 million for STD programs.  We also call upon Congress to reverse the proposed cuts to HIV/AIDS programs including parts of the Ryan White program and the HHS Secretary’s Minority AIDS Initiative Fund.

Annually, there are 20 million new STD cases, costing the U.S. health care system $16 billion. In 2015, 40,000 people were diagnosed with HIV and the U.S. spends $12.3 billion annually on HIV care and treatment. Young people ages 15-24 and gay and bisexual men are at highest risk for STDs and HIV. Young people face unique barriers to services, including stigma, confidentiality concerns, and limited access to expert STD and HIV providers. If we expect to end the HIV/AIDS and STD epidemics and to protect our younger generations, it is imperative to maintain and enhance existing STD-related services, which will require adequate funding streams to meet those needs in 2017 and years to come.

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The National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) represents state health department STD Directors and their affiliates, promoting sexual health through STD prevention.