When Is It Enough: The Call to Action part 1

Call to Action: This Is About US, Being About the Business of US

February 7, 2014 - I am my brother's and sister's keeper. That's the theme of the 14th annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, and we of the Living Affected Corporation want you to take this call seriously.

 

African Americans are disproportionately represented in new infection rates of HIV and often have National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in an effort to highlight the importance of Black LGBT leadership at the forefront of our fight against the epidemic if we ever hope to see an AIDS-free generation.  

 

In our research we often fine that despite the impact HIV and AIDS is having in communities of color there are still often to few resources to treat the virus when they learn they have the virus. Our agency was instrumental as well as at the forefront of pushing forward Arkansas' Jurisdictional Plan which outlines how this state will use its federal dollars in implementing high impact HIV/AIDS interventions.

Through our publishing efforts we have produced the first LGBT focused health journal, periodical highlighting the disease among women and created a ongoing local resource guide with the updated service providers and assistance. Yet we are alarmed and despondent that people in the Black LGBT community continue to face stigma, homophobia and isolation if they come out about their status.

Even more alarming is the fact that this agency is the sole entity which has taken a dedicated track to deal with the issues and challenges within the Black gay community. Since our existence we have struggled with getting the deserved respect for our efforts not only within the confines of public health but much of the Black community who has all but placated the situation with lip service and tepid responses that warrant the ultimate question: when is the senseless dying ever going to be enough?  The Living Affected Corporation observes:

 

Know The Facts:

• While Black people represent approximately 14 percent of the total U.S. population, they accounted for almost half (44 percent) of all new HIV infections in 2010 (20,900) and represent half of all people living with HIV, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 
• Approximately one in 16 black men will be diagnosed with HIV during their lifetime, as will one in 32 black women. Nationally, 25 percent of new infections are in Black and Hispanic men on average (CDC).
• The Black AIDS Institute reported in 2012 that Black men who have sex with men (MSM) make up nearly one in four new HIV infections in the United States and one in six Americans living with HIV. 
• In the National Transgender Discrimination Study (NTDS) published in 2011, over one-fifth of Black respondents were HIV-positive (20.23%) and an additional 10% reported that they did not know their status. 

Be Your Brother and Sister's Keeper.

 

Take Action:

• Get tested for HIV every six (6) months. Need help finding somewhere to get tested? Visit www.hivtest.org to find testing services in our local community.
• If you are HIV positive, find a provider you can trust and develop a treatment plan in order to take control of your health. Click here to find a list of providers in our community. 
• Know your healthcare options. If do not have health insurance, visit healthcare.gov and learn about the new health exchanges available to you through the Affordable Care Act.  Call us at 501.379-8203 for Free HIV testing and direct health care enrollment assistance.