Obama's HIV/AIDS effort targets Blacks
George Curry/NNPA Special Correspondent
Issue date: 4/19/09 Section: Cover
Fenton credited Phill Wilson, president of the Black AIDS Institute, and C. Virginia Fields, president of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, with helping the CDC to craft a broad community-based approach to curbing HIV.
Ironically, the decision to expand communications efforts comes at a time when the public seems less knowledgeable about AIDS. Drew Altman, president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, said his organization recently conducted a major public opinion survey that produced some troubling findings.
"We found that the percentage of the American people who say they have seen, heard or read a lot about HIV/AIDS in the U.S. has fallen from 34 percent five years ago to just 14 percent today," he said. "The percentage for African-Americans reporting this has fallen from 62 percent to just 33 percent."
Dorothy Height, president of the National Council of Negro Women, spoke on behalf of the 14 partner organizations. She said, "If we're going to deal with this great disease, which really is preventable in our communities, in our lives, it will take all of us, all of our organizations, our elected officials, our government agencies like CDC, our businesses, our churches, our labor groups and our universities."
She explained, "By taking the steps we can to protect ourselves and loved ones, and by refusing to remain silent, today, we are here to say that we have a sense of how we must work together to overcome this disease."
George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine and the NNPA News Service, is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. He can be reached through his Web site, www.georgecurry.com.
Ironically, the decision to expand communications efforts comes at a time when the public seems less knowledgeable about AIDS. Drew Altman, president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, said his organization recently conducted a major public opinion survey that produced some troubling findings.
"We found that the percentage of the American people who say they have seen, heard or read a lot about HIV/AIDS in the U.S. has fallen from 34 percent five years ago to just 14 percent today," he said. "The percentage for African-Americans reporting this has fallen from 62 percent to just 33 percent."
Dorothy Height, president of the National Council of Negro Women, spoke on behalf of the 14 partner organizations. She said, "If we're going to deal with this great disease, which really is preventable in our communities, in our lives, it will take all of us, all of our organizations, our elected officials, our government agencies like CDC, our businesses, our churches, our labor groups and our universities."
She explained, "By taking the steps we can to protect ourselves and loved ones, and by refusing to remain silent, today, we are here to say that we have a sense of how we must work together to overcome this disease."
George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine and the NNPA News Service, is a keynote speaker, moderator, and media coach. He can be reached through his Web site, www.georgecurry.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Colin Tongs
posted 4/21/09 @ 2:32 PM EST
We are a Medical Research company and have through our medical team come up with a possible solution that may help in the treatment and cure for HIV/AIDS. (Continued…)
latest news
posted 4/25/09 @ 7:39 PM EST
We should focus on education, prevention and treatment. AIDS remains the most serious health threat in the United States
samueljaxon
Term paper service
posted 2/21/10 @ 11:25 AM EST
Thanks for great stuff!
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