house resolution no.269
Rep. Pohutsky offered the following resolution:
Whereas, By end of December 2020, there were 17,348 Michiganders living with HIV, of which 522 had recently received an HIV diagnosis; and
Whereas, By end of December 2020, roughly 1% of all Michiganders living with HIV were youth 19 years old and under and 12% of all Michiganders living with HIV were people aged 20 to 29; and
Whereas, We must combat HIV misinformation and stigmatization surrounding a young person’s HIV diagnosis, spread, and treatment; and
Whereas, Michigan youth disproportionately face barriers to HIV education, prevention, and treatment, with barriers including insufficient knowledge, finances, health insurance, and transportation; conflicting open hours of health care clinics during school or work times; fear of or experienced stigma and shame from medical providers and loved ones; and forced parental consent mandates for HIV medications; and
Whereas, Effective HIV care, treatment, prevention methods, and HIV medications such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP); and
Whereas, Young people are least likely to be aware of an HIV infection, and least likely be to retained in HIV care and have a suppressed viral load, thereby increasing the likelihood of spread of HIV amongst youth; and
Whereas, Michigan youth cannot access prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily pill which reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by 99% when taken as prescribed, without parental consent; and
Whereas, Michigan youth deserve to learn medically accurate information regarding medications that can be used to prevent the spread of HIV; and
Whereas, Michigan youth deserve access to non-judgmental, affirming, and affordable HIV education, care, treatment, and prevention within their communities; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare April 10, 2022, as Michigan Youth HIV and AIDS Awareness Day in the state of Michigan.