ISSUE: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

OUR VIEW: Emphasis on risk to African-Americans needed to curb spread of disease

Battling AIDS in 2008 is different than a decade and more ago. The public stigma of the disease as somehow unique to homosexuals has not evaporated, but the reality is clear. These days, particularly in places such as the Edisto Health District with the highest incidence of cases in the state, AIDS is a growing problem among heterosexual adults, and particularly African-American heterosexual adults.

While African-Americans represent approximately 13 percent of the U.S. population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the group accounts for almost half (49 percent) of the nation's AIDS cases.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics 2006 Report, HIV/AIDS is one of the top 10 leading causes of death for African-Americans; and in the same year, African-Americans accounted for more than half (54 percent) of estimated new HIV infections in the United States.

Knowing the facts about HIV and AIDS is an important part in fighting the disease.

During the early years of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, the government recommended AIDS screening only in big cities, where the disease rates are high, and among members of high-risk groups, such as gay men and drug addicts.

Then two large, federally funded studies found the cost of routinely testing and treating nearly all adults would be outweighed by a reduction in new infections and the opportunity to start patients on drug cocktails early, when they work best.

Then the government took another step. An HIV test should be almost as common as a cholesterol check, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control said in recommending routine testing for the AIDS virus for most Americans.

To counter the escalating rate of AIDS cases among African-Americans, Feb. 7 will mark the eighth annual observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. The national mobilization effort is designed to encourage African-Americans across the United States and territorial areas to get educated, get tested, get involved and get treated for HIV/AIDS.

"Statistics show that African-Americans have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS since the epidemic's beginning some 25 years ago," says Dr. John Robertson, executive director of National Black Alcoholism and Addictions Council, one of the lead organizations for NBHAAD. "If we increase the dialogue and get everyone involved, we will be able to galvanize our communities to take action and stop the spread of HIV/AIDS."

In Orangeburg County the OCAB CAA Inc. HIV Prevention Project is sponsoring free HIV testing using OraQuick. Test results are ready in 20 minutes, so clients will know their status right away. The project is also handing out information and literature on HIV/AIDS prevention and does risk-reduction counseling and condom distribution. Tests are also available through the Orangeburg County Health Department (803-533-7207).

Getting people tested is the first step in linking infected people to appropriate care, treatment and prevention services. To prevent the spread of the disease and help those with it, education through National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and similar efforts is essential.

For more information on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2008, visit the Web site at www.blackaidsday.org. Contact the OCAB HIV Prevention Project at 803-536-1027, extension 114.

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