Committee on Family, Health and Human Services Minutes
October 31, 2006
Committee Members
in attendance: Judy Myers, Chair, William Burton, and Clinton Young.
In Attendance: DOH: Dr. Josh Lispman, Commissioner; Patsy Yang-Lewis, First Deputy Commissioner; Cheryl Archbald & Tom Petro.
Items Discussed: HIV/AIDS in Westchester County
Minutes
Chairwoman Myers called the meeting to order at 11:10 a.m.
Dr. Lipsman, Commissioner of the Department of Health, told the Committee that there are approximately 1.2 million people in the United States who are currently living with HIV or AIDS. He said that 25% of them have not been diagnosed and do not know that they have been infected. He continued to explain that of the 57 counties in New York State outside of New York City, Westchester has the highest number of people living with AIDS or HIV, the second highest AIDS case rate, and the fourth highest HIV case rate. The cases in Westchester are increasingly in middle-aged women of color and they are being infected through heterosexual transmission.
Dr. Lipsman explained that most of Westchester’s cases are found in our cities, with the bulk of them being in Yonkers.
The Federal money we receive for HIV/AIDS is spent on those currently living with the virus, while the money that is allocated by the County is spent on prevention. We provide free testing through the WAVE (War Against Virus Escalating) program. They provide the oral rapid test at events around the county. The rapid test is an oral swab that provides results in twenty minutes. If a test comes back positive it is then confirmed by a blood test, but if that comes back negative it is definitely negative. The WOW (Women Organized around Wellness) program focuses on women of color in the northern part of the county and provides testing to them.
The Department of Health and the Committee would like more primary care physicians to test for HIV/AIDS standardly.
Commissioner Lipsman explained that as people are living longer with the virus there is a growing concern for senior citizens as they lose their partners and start new relationships.
Commissioner Lipsman and First Deputy Commissioner Patsy Yang-Lewis told the Committee that December first is World AIDS day and it would help draw attention to this day if the Board passed a resolution encouraging people to get tested. The Committee agreed to work with the Department to draft a resolution and have it passed first by the Committee and then by the full Board.
Commissioner Lipsman stated that there is no cure or vaccine on the horizon for this disease, however with current medication the vast majority of HIV positive pregnant women do not transfer the virus to their baby.
Legislator Young asked the Commissioner what it would take in terms of budgeting to do an awareness media campaign. Commissioner Lipsman said it would take a lot of money. Legislator Young said that budget season is beginning and while he appreciates the mobile testing, a media campaign is needed.
Commissioner Lipsman stated that there are approximately 135 new HIV/AIDS cases in Westchester a year, with many more who are living with virus without knowing. He said this is a social problem with a medical consequence.
Moved by Legislator Young and seconded by Legislator Myers the Committee on Families, Health and Human Services adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
Text: 
Print:
