Pubdate: Thu, 16 Nov 2006
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/11/16/BAG90ME7BP10.DTL
Copyright: 2006 Hearst Communications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388
Author: Leslie Fulbright, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)

GOV'T ASKED TO HELP BLACK AMERICANS FIGHT HIV AND AIDS

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Black politicians, civil rights leaders and 
medical experts issued a call to the federal government and 
newly-elected members of Congress today to expand programs that help 
fight HIV and AIDS among African Americans.

A five-point strategy to reduce the impact of the disease in the 
black community is detailed in the report released by the National 
Minority AIDS Council. It includes programs ranging from free condoms 
in prison to injection drug prevention programs to affordable housing.

The report, "African Americans, Health Disparities and HIV/AIDS: 
Recommendations for Confronting the Epidemic in Black Americans," was 
released in advance of World AIDS Day, which is Dec. 1.

African American men, women and children now account for half of new 
HIV diagnoses and 55 percent of people dying nationally of AIDS, 
although they make up 13 percent of the U.S. population.

"In 2006, AIDS in America is a black disease," said Phill Wilson, 
executive director of the Black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles.

"We have to stop the devastation this disease is causing in our 
community, and I think this plan offers a clear blueprint," said Rep. 
Barbara Lee. "The fact is that this administration and the Republican 
Congress have never paid much attention to the needs of African 
American or minority communities when it comes to fighting AIDS, and 
you can bet that we are going to work to change that in the new Congress."

The five recommendations are:

Support the strengthening of stable African-American communities by 
addressing the need for more affordable housing.

Reduce the impact of incarceration as a driver of new HIV infection 
within the African American community.

Eliminate marginalization of -- and reduce stigma and discrimination 
against -- black gay men and other men who have sex with men.

Expand HIV prevention education programs, promote the early 
identification of HIV through voluntary, routine testing and connect 
those in need of treatment to it as early as possible.

Reduce the number of HIV infections in the African American community 
caused by injection drug use through the expansion of substance abuse 
prevention programs, drug treatment and recovery services and clean 
needle exchange programs.

Supporters of the policies include the Urban League, the NAACP and 
several members of Congress and AIDS organizations.