3 years ago
WASHINGTON (AP) - The District of Columbia's health director has launched a campaign to address what has been called an AIDS-HIV crisis.
Today, one in 20 DC residents is infected with the human immunodeficiency virus - the virus that causes AIDS. And about one in 15 residents is living with AIDS. The rate of infection in the city is far above the national rate.
Last month, Doctor Gregg Pane took control of the health department's troubled HIV and AIDS Administration from Marsha Martin, who resigned only hours after new Mayor Adrian M. Fenty was sworn into office.
Pane is realigning the administration and using its resources to tackle a series of "critical tasks" within 90 days. Among the initiatives are developing disease response and prevention plans, distributing condoms and better organizing HIV data.
Government watchdog groups say DC is making AIDS a high priority.
