NEW YORK, May 23 (Xinhuanet) -- A commission studying HIV/AIDS issued a list of recommendations Monday for containing the diseasein New York City, including making condoms more widely available and pushing for more HIV testing.

    In a draft report, the 21-member commission also called for expanded drug treatment programs and efforts to reduce the stigma associated with being HIV-positive.

    "The commission's draft recommendations will significantly strengthen our response to the epidemic," said Dr. Scott Kellerman,the city's assistant commissioner for HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

    He noted that New York city is at a critical point in how to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic, adding that though great progress has been made, much more needs to be done.

    New York City is home to 100,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, or about one in six people living with the disease in the United States, city health officials said.

    About 4,000 people are newly diagnosed with AIDS each year in the city, and about 1,700 die from it each year.

    "Our goal is to drastically reduce the spread of HIV, significantly improve control of the epidemic in New York City, and provide the highest quality medical care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. The NYC Commission on HIV/AIDS has made recommendations that, if implemented, will accomplish this," said an official of the commission.

    He invited the public to study the report and comment on it, saying community input will be critically important as the public health department continues to develop, refine, and implement strategies to stop the epidemic. Enditem