Spring Break
Blacks battle against HIV on new frontier
George E Curry/NNPA Special Correspondent
Issue date: 6/28/09 Section: Cover
Her organization is partnering with local and state health departments, major civil rights organizations and other community groups to encourage more extensive testing. Nationally, HIV/AIDS is devastating the Black community:
1. Although African-Americans represent only 12 percent of the U.S. population, they accounted for nearly half of all AIDS cases diagnosed in 2006;
2. Black women represented 66 percent of all new AIDS cases among women in 2006.
3. Black teens accounted for 69 percent of new AIDS cases reported among teens in 2006.
Despite those numbers, a Kaiser Family Foundation study released in April found signs of hope.
4. African-Americans are more seriously concerned about HIV/AIDS than Whites.
HIV testing was highest among young adults (18-29). Nearly half - 47 percent - of young African-Americans reported being tested in the last 12 months, compared to 23 percent of Whites.
The study also revealed some trends that could help health officials do a more effective job of planning. For example, 70 percent of youth (18-29) said they have not been tested for HIV because they don't think they are at risk. Additionally, most people (65 percent) said they decided to get tested because they thought it was a good idea. Twenty-six percent said they were tested at the suggestion of a health care provider, 21 percent were tested because they feared they might be infected and 9 percent were tested because a partner recommended it.
"The earlier a person discovers that he or she is HIV positive, the better opportunity we'll have to extend that person's life through treatment," C. Virginia Fields, president and CEO of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, explained.
The Los Angeles-based Black AIDS Institute has launched a Test 1 Million Campaign. The goal is to get 1 million people tested by next June.reach."
1. Although African-Americans represent only 12 percent of the U.S. population, they accounted for nearly half of all AIDS cases diagnosed in 2006;
2. Black women represented 66 percent of all new AIDS cases among women in 2006.
3. Black teens accounted for 69 percent of new AIDS cases reported among teens in 2006.
Despite those numbers, a Kaiser Family Foundation study released in April found signs of hope.
4. African-Americans are more seriously concerned about HIV/AIDS than Whites.
HIV testing was highest among young adults (18-29). Nearly half - 47 percent - of young African-Americans reported being tested in the last 12 months, compared to 23 percent of Whites.
The study also revealed some trends that could help health officials do a more effective job of planning. For example, 70 percent of youth (18-29) said they have not been tested for HIV because they don't think they are at risk. Additionally, most people (65 percent) said they decided to get tested because they thought it was a good idea. Twenty-six percent said they were tested at the suggestion of a health care provider, 21 percent were tested because they feared they might be infected and 9 percent were tested because a partner recommended it.
"The earlier a person discovers that he or she is HIV positive, the better opportunity we'll have to extend that person's life through treatment," C. Virginia Fields, president and CEO of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, explained.
The Los Angeles-based Black AIDS Institute has launched a Test 1 Million Campaign. The goal is to get 1 million people tested by next June.reach."
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