Pubdate: Fri, 06 Feb 2009
Source: News Journal, The (Wilmington, DE)
Copyright: 2009 The News Journal
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/1c6Xgdq3
Website: http://www.delawareonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/822

EPIDEMIC HIV/AIDS RATES ADDRESSED BY SATURDAY GROUP

Within a week of taking office, Barack Obama became the  first
president to incorporate a national HIV/AIDs  strategy in his civil
rights agenda.

And with good reason.

Blacks account for nearly 13 percent of the nation's  population, but
50 percent of all newly diagnosed AIDS  cases.

In Delaware blacks make up 67 percent of residents with  HIV/AIDS.
Blacks make up 67 percent of Delaware  residents with HIV/AIDS, up
from 44 percent 20 years  ago. In November, Delaware received the
worst grade a  state can get for death rates for blacks with HIV--
almost 15 times as high as for whites.

These numbers are why the Eighth Annual National Black  HIV/AIDS
Awareness Conference being held at  Wilmington's Double Tree Hotel on
Saturday was turning  away registrants on Thursday.

There's no debate that personal responsibility to avoid  risky
behavior remains key.

However, longtime AIDS workers make a valid case that  the wide
disparities are tied to more than just poverty  and irresponsible
behavior. Drug addicts refuse  clean-needle exchange programs out of
erroneous fears  that they will be arrested. Lack of treatment or
counseling for related medical conditions, such as  depression, cause
some patients to skip dosages or  become overwhelmed by the regimented
medication that is  required to stay healthy.

Organizers of Saturday's conference plan to mobilize  the faith
community with presentations that encourage  development of more
prevention and outreach ministries.

They are to be commended for taking on the full  spectrum of a public
health issue that in many sectors  remains hindered by unfounded fears
and avoidable  public ignorance.
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MAP posted-by: dan