AIDS hurting African-American community

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