| From: |
Gabriel ADEYEMO [ profile ] |
| Subject: |
Each of us plays a part in HIV fight
|
| Sent: |
Oct 24th, 2011 - 07:51:59 |
|
| |
Source:* Atlanta Journal Constitution*
AUTHOR: Kevin Fenton
http://www.ajc.com/opinion/each-of-us-plays-1199663.html
Interesting Fellow GYCAers,
"Of all races, African-Americans have the highest rates of HIV infection in
the nation. Black people make up just 14 percent of the US population, yet
they account for almost half of those living and dying with HIV and AIDS in
this country. "Within the black community, the face of HIV is young and old,
male and female, straight and gay. It is black women in their 30s and 40s
for whom AIDS is now the third-leading cause of death. It is our black
youth, many of whom will become infected before their 30th birthday. It is
black gay and bisexual men. Earlier this year, the CDC reported that while
the number of infections that occur each year among African-Americans has
remained relatively stable since the mid-1990s, the number of new HIV
infections among young black gay and bisexual men under the age of 30
increased 48 percent between 2006 and 2009. "However, the data tell only
part of the story.
There are also complex factors that continue to place African-Americans at
greater risk of infection. We know that nearly a quarter of African-American
families live in poverty, and that those who cannot afford the basics in
life may end up in circumstances that increase their HIV risk. Additionally,
according to the most recent national census data, about one in five black
people are without health insurance.
"To many people, these statistics may be shocking. To those of us who have
long been working to fight HIV, they are unacceptable." At the CDC,
combating HIV among African-Americans is a top priority. Last year, we
invested more than half of our HIV prevention budget to fight HIV among
African-Americans. We also recently expanded a multimillion-dollar HIV
testing initiative to reach more African-Americans. And just last month, CDC
announced it is awarding $55 million to 34 community-based organizations
across the country to expand HIV prevention services for young gay and
bisexual men of color and transgendered youth of color. However, even with
these extensive efforts under way, the CDC alone cannot turn the tide and
begin to reduce the number of African-Americans infected with HIV.
We must come together as a nation and as a community to confront the complex
socioeconomic factors that fuel the epidemic among African-Americans.
I think i am in perfect support of this kind of Advocacy by the
Afro-Americans. Click the link above to read full story.....
--
Many Thanks
Yours' in Prevention Science
Gabriel, ADEYEMO
Regional Focal Point - West Africa
Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AID (GYCA)
+234-80-6798-7317 | gabriel (at) gyca.org
www.gyca.org | www.tigweb.org
GYCA is a youth-led global network of over 6,000 young leaders and adult
allies working on youth and HIV/AIDS in 173 countries world-wide. GYCA's
mission is to empower young leaders with the skills, knowledge, resources
and opportunities they need to scale up HIV/AIDS interventions amongst their
peers.
Universal Access is possible; *
*Zero new HIV infections. **Zero discrimination and ***Zero AIDS-related
deaths.***
|
|
Message
back to messages
