Black HIV AIDS Awareness 2012

Living Affected: Changing the Course of HIV and AIDS: One Black Life at a Time in 2012

 In recognition of Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, The Living Affected Corporation in cooperation with the Center Disease Control features a message from Dr. Kevin Fenton,( PHD, Director) who has been an ardent supporter of our organizations programs to address HIV and AIDS in Arkansas. In his message he cites that despite newly designed prevention methods such as one pill regimens, glaring social determinants of access to health care, transportation, employment and education specifically impact individuals dealing with this disease. As an organization we are determined to continue to develop programming, advocacy and social networking opportunities that scale up our abilities to craft prevention messages that distinctively address Black men having sex with men, Black women who are now experiencing escalating infection rates and the Black community at large. It is paramount that our local political leaders, policy makers, law makers and faith based leaders become energized in this fight to empower, educate and involve those most vulnerable. Furthermore, at the nexus of this health crisis is also the issues of health access, education, employment and housing that can't be excluded from this dilemma. We encourage consumers, end users, advocates and activist both within the Black community and beyond to pursue decisive and bold initiatives resulting in game changing outcomes. The Living Affected Corporation believes that this disease is not about only loosing precious individuals lives, but the possibility of loosing a generation. 

The State of HIV and AIDS in Arkansas

State HIV/AIDS Department/Division - Website
CDC HIV/AIDS State Profile - State Profile (PDF Doc)
National Center for HIV, Hepatitis, STD and Tuberculosis Prevention - Website
Find an HIV Testing Site HERE!
	State Population:	Black Population # and %
	2,861,400	445,400 - 16%
	Total	Percentage
Black Population Poverty Rate:	173,200	39%
State Cumulative AIDS Cases:	4,562
State's Black Cumulative AIDS Cases:	1,861
State's Total New AIDS Cases:	197
State's Black New AIDS Cases:	108
State's Black Annual AIDS Case Rate: per 100,000	30.6%
State's Total Persons Living with AIDS:	2,415
State's Total Black Persons Living with AIDS:	1,005
Source - Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts: www.statehealthfacts.org

Our Lives, Our Stories Book Event Success

The release of "Our Lives, Our Stories, The Untold Stories of Women with AIDS," was celebrated last Sunday at the Pyramid Gallery in Little Rock. The event feature participant's sharing their thoughts and stories from the Plus Club program of The Living Affected Corporation.  LA Corp CEO,  Diedra Levi, moderated the event beginning with the origins of the program and observed that there has been a unfortunate attention deficit in Arkansas on women who are either living infected or affected by the disease. The program was devised to address the lack of social interaction and networking opportunities of other women who may similar stories or situations. "I was really honored to tell my story," said participant Connie Roebuck. "It was a chance to tell how this has affected me and caused me to be known in my community not as "Connie" but "The Condom Lady." Roebuck also announced to the audience that despite her journey she would be marrying her fiance in March. Other participant Diane stated, " I was glad to share my story, so that others may learn something from my mistakes and choices." She continued "having to tell my husband and children were among the hardest things to do. But once I told them, they said that it didn't matter." Local book reviewer Amos Lassen stated that his website had garnered over 700 hits reading his review of the book.  After a brief Q & A session the women were available for autographs and individual interaction. Additional book release events are being scheduled and further information will be posted to this site. Books are available at the gallery or can be directly purchased from this site. Proceeds from all books published by The Living Affected Corporation will support future organizational programming and operations. To make donations, contributions or in-kind commitments contact us at info@lacorponline.org or use our secured Pay Pal portal at www.livingaffected.org  Need more info,  reach out and touch at 877.902.7HIV  Your support in this effort is always welcomed!