Important AIDS Anniversary Observed

(Santa Ana) – The date was June 5, 1981. An article entitled “Pneumocystis Pneumonia – Los Angeles” appears in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a publication of The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This summary of reported pneumonia cases among five men in the Los Angeles area would become the first article about AIDS to appear in the medical literature.

            Over the next 25 years, much more would be learned about AIDS as the battle against the disease became worldwide in scope. From 1981 through 2005, a total of 6,671 AIDS cases were reported among Orange County residents. Orange County ranks fifth among California’s 58 counties in cumulative AIDS cases reported through 2005.

            “While much progress has been made in the fight against HIV/AIDS, much more work remains to be done,” said David Souleles, Chief of Public Health Operations. “Federal support for medical services, prevention efforts and support services has been essential to our successes and we believe it is important that the same level of support be available in future years.”

Advances in treatment beginning in the mid 1990’s are responsible for a dramatic increase in the number of people living with AIDS. Of the 6,671 AIDS cases reported in Orange County since 1981, 3,278, or 49%, were living as of December 31, 2005. The number of reported AIDS cases has decreased from a high of 736 in 1993 to 165 cases in 2005. Today, AIDS case rates in Orange County remain highest among African Americans and Hispanics.

            The Orange County Health Care Agency coordinates HIV/AIDS care, treatment, and support services and HIV/AIDS prevention services for the County of Orange in partnership with community providers. These programs ensure that persons living with HIV/AIDS have access to needed medical and support services and work to prevent the further transmission of HIV in the community.

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