Author: Danelle Rolle – [email protected]
Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness day - a day to bring special attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic that affects the black community. This “HIV testing and treatment community mobilization initiative” focuses on four key areas: Getting Educated, Getting Tested, Getting Involved, and Getting Treated[1].
Getting Educated
W. Edwards Deming once said “Lack of knowledge….that is the problem.” This statement rings too true when talking about HIV/AIDS among Blacks. The stigma surrounding the disease causes many individuals to refrain from seeking information. HIV/AIDS has become such a taboo in our community that many of us feel as though having a discussion reflects poorly on us. However, educating ourselves actually shows that we take our health seriously. We can learn more about HIV/AIDS through various means such as:
· Reading articles like “HIV/AIDS and the African-American Community: A State of Emergency” written by Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, Dr. Donna M. Christensen and Dr. Erica D. Taylor. [2].
· Visiting websites like the CDC’s Act Against Aids webpage.[3]
Getting Tested
Getting tested is the most essential aspect of preventing the spread of HIV. Days like today offer instances where a large number of Blacks can get themselves tested. Whether you think you have the disease or not, it is important to get yourself checked out, especially if you are sexually active or at high risk for contracting the disease. It is crucial to know your status!
You can visit the CDC's HIV Test Center website to find a testing center near you. This website provides information on free testing areas so that individuals with cost concerns can still get tested.
Getting Involved
Whether you are living with HIV/AIDS or not, we all have a responsibility to get involved. In order to live out today’s slogan, “I am my brother’s and sister’s keeper”, we should participate in events that help to fight HIV/AIDS in our community. We can get involved with organizations such as the Red Cross or organize testing days and educational events at our local high schools, colleges, churches, etc.
Getting Treated
Living with HIV is scary but not impossible. According to the CDC, approximately 1.1 million people are living with the disease in the U.S[4], with about half of them being African American[5]. Once you discover that you are suffering from HIV, it is imperative that you seek treatment. The sooner you get yourself treated, the greater your chances are of survival. The CDC reports that even though 75% of Blacks suffering from HIV receive treatment, only 48% continue the treatment[5]. This translates to only 1 in 3 Blacks getting effective care[5]. The cost of HIV treatment is a major reason why many do not follow through. Aids.gov provides several options for covering the cost of HIV treatment including[6]:
· Private Insurance
· Federal assistance through programs such as Medicaid
· Non-Federal programs such as Patient Assistance Programs.
African Americans account for the highest number of HIV cases in the U.S. while only accounting for 12% of the population[7]. We all know someone living with HIV/AIDS, whether it is a family member, friend or acquaintance. Each year, we lose too many of our loved ones to the disease. Spreading HIV/AIDS is completely preventable if we’d just take the time to educate and protect ourselves. To ensure the continuation of our people, we need to stop perpetuating the stigma and start having the conversation about this deadly disease.
Parents, talk to your kids about protection if they are sexually active. Even if they aren’t, educate them anyway. The more knowledge they have the better equipped they will be in the future.
For those of you in relationships, talk to your partners about HIV/AIDS. Don’t be ashamed to ask them to get tested. In fact, get tested together! This can keep you BOTH safe as well as provide an opportunity to bring you closer together.
If you have already been diagnosed with HIV, be honest with others. Don’t let the social stigma associated with the disease keep you from sharing your status with them. Don’t take another person’s choice away by engaging in sexual activity without disclosing; choose to be sexually responsible in your actions. You can even use your story to educate others and be your brother’s and sister’s keeper.
[1] National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day website. http://nationalblackaidsday.org (Accessed February 2014).
[2] Laurencin, C. T.; Christensen, D.M.; Taylor, E. D., (2008), HIV/AIDS and the African-American Community: A State of Emergency, J. Natl. Med. Assoc., Vol. 100, No. 1, pg 35-43
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention., (January 2014), Act Against Aids, A CDC publication, http://www.cdc.gov/actagainstaids/, (Accessed February 2014).
[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention., (May 2013), Living with HIV, A CDC publication, http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/living/index.html (Accessed Feburary 2014)
[5] Interstate General Media., (February 2014), Only 1 in 3 HIV-Infected Black Americans Gets Effective Treatment: Study, A philly.com publication, http://www.philly.com/philly/health/topics/HealthDay684657_20140206_Only_1_in_3_HIV-Infected_Black_Americans_Gets_Effective_Treatment__Study.html (Accessed February 2014)
[6] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services., (April 2013) , Addressing the Cost of Care, A Aids.gov publication, http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/just-diagnosed-with-hiv-aids/find-care-and-treatment/addressing-cost-barriers/ (Accessed February 2014)
[7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention., (February 2014), HIV Among African Americans, A CDC publication, http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/racialethnic/aa/facts/ (Accessed February 2014).
Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness day - a day to bring special attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic that affects the black community. This “HIV testing and treatment community mobilization initiative” focuses on four key areas: Getting Educated, Getting Tested, Getting Involved, and Getting Treated[1].
Getting Educated
W. Edwards Deming once said “Lack of knowledge….that is the problem.” This statement rings too true when talking about HIV/AIDS among Blacks. The stigma surrounding the disease causes many individuals to refrain from seeking information. HIV/AIDS has become such a taboo in our community that many of us feel as though having a discussion reflects poorly on us. However, educating ourselves actually shows that we take our health seriously. We can learn more about HIV/AIDS through various means such as:
· Reading articles like “HIV/AIDS and the African-American Community: A State of Emergency” written by Dr. Cato T. Laurencin, Dr. Donna M. Christensen and Dr. Erica D. Taylor. [2].
· Visiting websites like the CDC’s Act Against Aids webpage.[3]
Getting Tested
Getting tested is the most essential aspect of preventing the spread of HIV. Days like today offer instances where a large number of Blacks can get themselves tested. Whether you think you have the disease or not, it is important to get yourself checked out, especially if you are sexually active or at high risk for contracting the disease. It is crucial to know your status!
You can visit the CDC's HIV Test Center website to find a testing center near you. This website provides information on free testing areas so that individuals with cost concerns can still get tested.
Getting Involved
Whether you are living with HIV/AIDS or not, we all have a responsibility to get involved. In order to live out today’s slogan, “I am my brother’s and sister’s keeper”, we should participate in events that help to fight HIV/AIDS in our community. We can get involved with organizations such as the Red Cross or organize testing days and educational events at our local high schools, colleges, churches, etc.
Getting Treated
Living with HIV is scary but not impossible. According to the CDC, approximately 1.1 million people are living with the disease in the U.S[4], with about half of them being African American[5]. Once you discover that you are suffering from HIV, it is imperative that you seek treatment. The sooner you get yourself treated, the greater your chances are of survival. The CDC reports that even though 75% of Blacks suffering from HIV receive treatment, only 48% continue the treatment[5]. This translates to only 1 in 3 Blacks getting effective care[5]. The cost of HIV treatment is a major reason why many do not follow through. Aids.gov provides several options for covering the cost of HIV treatment including[6]:
· Private Insurance
· Federal assistance through programs such as Medicaid
· Non-Federal programs such as Patient Assistance Programs.
African Americans account for the highest number of HIV cases in the U.S. while only accounting for 12% of the population[7]. We all know someone living with HIV/AIDS, whether it is a family member, friend or acquaintance. Each year, we lose too many of our loved ones to the disease. Spreading HIV/AIDS is completely preventable if we’d just take the time to educate and protect ourselves. To ensure the continuation of our people, we need to stop perpetuating the stigma and start having the conversation about this deadly disease.
Parents, talk to your kids about protection if they are sexually active. Even if they aren’t, educate them anyway. The more knowledge they have the better equipped they will be in the future.
For those of you in relationships, talk to your partners about HIV/AIDS. Don’t be ashamed to ask them to get tested. In fact, get tested together! This can keep you BOTH safe as well as provide an opportunity to bring you closer together.
If you have already been diagnosed with HIV, be honest with others. Don’t let the social stigma associated with the disease keep you from sharing your status with them. Don’t take another person’s choice away by engaging in sexual activity without disclosing; choose to be sexually responsible in your actions. You can even use your story to educate others and be your brother’s and sister’s keeper.
[1] National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day website. http://nationalblackaidsday.org (Accessed February 2014).
[2] Laurencin, C. T.; Christensen, D.M.; Taylor, E. D., (2008), HIV/AIDS and the African-American Community: A State of Emergency, J. Natl. Med. Assoc., Vol. 100, No. 1, pg 35-43
[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention., (January 2014), Act Against Aids, A CDC publication, http://www.cdc.gov/actagainstaids/, (Accessed February 2014).
[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention., (May 2013), Living with HIV, A CDC publication, http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/living/index.html (Accessed Feburary 2014)
[5] Interstate General Media., (February 2014), Only 1 in 3 HIV-Infected Black Americans Gets Effective Treatment: Study, A philly.com publication, http://www.philly.com/philly/health/topics/HealthDay684657_20140206_Only_1_in_3_HIV-Infected_Black_Americans_Gets_Effective_Treatment__Study.html (Accessed February 2014)
[6] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services., (April 2013) , Addressing the Cost of Care, A Aids.gov publication, http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/just-diagnosed-with-hiv-aids/find-care-and-treatment/addressing-cost-barriers/ (Accessed February 2014)
[7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention., (February 2014), HIV Among African Americans, A CDC publication, http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/racialethnic/aa/facts/ (Accessed February 2014).