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IMMIGRATION VS. JOBS
Regarding “Three strikes and you’re in: Immigrants as the solution, not the problem,” by James Krohe Jr., Nov. 10: In the first decade of the 21st century (2000 through 2009), employment levels only increased by 3.2 million, while the non-institutionalized civilian population grew by 28 million. As a percentage of population growth over employment growth, this was the worst decade in Bureau of Labor Statistics historical data.
The breakdown of working-age (under 65) to retirement-age (over 65) is also interesting; 1 million new jobs went to the working-age population, while 2.2 million jobs went to the retirement-age population. This put the employment growth levels at 5 percent for the working age population, which grew by 22.2 million. Retirement age employment levels increased by 38 percent, with a population growth of 5.8 million.
Prior to the economic meltdown and the subsequent loss of some 8 million jobs, the decade in question was already on track to be the worst in Bureau of Labor Statistics historical records. Employment levels had grown by 11,953,000 with population growth of 24,795,000. The employment-level growth statistic was 48 percent as of June 2008.
Our current immigration policy is assuring the economic expulsion of our children, because a condition of most immigrant visas is the requirement to remain employed. Steve Kritzer Los Angeles
ARTS ENCOURAGER
Awesome article [see “The Pharmacy offers a unique prescription for local art,” by Scott Faingold, Nov. 10]. I hope the show goes well. The amazing part of all of this is that this is what the city needs for the next generation of artists to foster their skills. Becoming a part of a community is what makes an artist challenged to do more. Criticism is the elixir to good art that keeps getting better and better. I wish the artists good luck with the show and all that follows. With skill, experience, compassion and an eagerness to grow, no luck will be needed. And they have all of those elements of success. There will be more shows I am sure. Keep it going! Michael Mayosky Springfield
WORLD AIDS DAY
People who weren’t yet born when AIDS first emerged are today most at risk for becoming HIV positive – an alarming development that underscores how essential awareness is, especially as we approach World AIDS Day, Dec. 1.
From 2006 to 2009, the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the HIV incidence rate for Americans between 13 and 29 years old increased by about 21 percent. In fact, most of the new HIV infections reported in this country involve people under 30.
Americans under 30 have never known a world without AIDS. At the same time, they’ve never really known a time when effective treatment for HIV and AIDS wasn’t available.
This hasn’t always been the case.
As this disease turns 30, we need to ensure that people – especially younger people – remain aware of AIDS and how to prevent it.
Let’s not forget that each year about 56,000 Americans become infected with HIV, according to the CDC, and that more than 14,000 Americans with AIDS die.
Thanks to more effective and more available treatments, more Americans who have HIV and AIDS are able to live. The CDC estimates this number at more than 1 million nationwide.
Regularly testing people most at risk for HIV – and then providing antiretroviral drugs for HIV/AIDS patients – dramatically reduces the number of new infections.
Preventing HIV is not complicated. If you’re sexually active, get tested. Don’t use IV drugs or share needles. Abstain or practice safer sex. With preventive care, patients and their health care providers can fight and manage this disease and slow its spread.
But we can’t allow today’s more effective treatments to make us complacent or ambivalent, or to lessen our resolve to find a cure. Dr. Sam Ho, M.D. Chief medical officer UnitedHealthcare Cypress, Calif.
