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AIDS hurting African-American community
Editorial -by Jim Hilton
as published in the
Galveston Daily News
February 7th, 2005
AIDS is a national public health
emergency for African Americans, affecting more black Americans
than any other ethnic group. Anyone may be at risk, including
women, men, young people and especially those in their teens
and 20s.
Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness & Information
Day and those in the African-American community are encouraged
to get educated and get tested. While many people may think
the HIV/AIDS epidemic is over, the numbers make it clear that
is not the case.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
African Americans make up 12 percent of the U.S. population,
yet they account for half of the new HIV cases reported annually.
Simply put, something must be done and that responsibility
falls to the entire community.
In the early 1980s, HIV/AIDS was primarily considered a gay,
white disease in the United States. Today, however, the HIV
epidemic infects and affects African Americans more than any
other population. It is not who you are, but what you do,
that puts a person at risk for getting HIV/AIDS.
HIV is transmitted through body fluids that can be acquired
through unsafe sex practices. Another common mode of transmission
is the sharing of infected needles among IV drug users.
What can a person do to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in our
community? There are several things, beginning with learning
more about the disease and how it is transmitted.
Every person at risk should know their status by getting
tested. If sexually active, always use protection to protect
yourself and your partner. Another great way to decrease the
incidence of HIV/AIDS is to become involved with local programs
such as those at the Galveston County Health District and
other community organizations that work to educate people
on a daily basis.
We at the Galveston County Health District are committed
to lowering the incidence of HIV/AIDS in our local community.
We provide testing in our clinics and educational outreach
to various communities. Collaborations with other community-based
organizations allow us to reach even greater numbers of people
that need prevention education.
If anyone reading this would like additional information
on our programs or would like to be tested, please call (409)
765-2528 or visit our Web site at www.gchd.org/pages/std.
Working together, we can prevent the spread of this disease
and make a difference in the community and the lives of those
infected and affected with HIV/AIDS.
Jim Hilton is director of HIV/STD control for the Galveston
County Health District.
For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211
kkoopman@gchd.org
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