The Black Facts About HIV!

The Saga Continues...

The Black Facts About HIV!

By Nevin Jefferson

I strongly advice Black Church Leaders to offer love, compassion, and care to their parish members who are infected with this deadly virus that still has no cure. Blacks aren't getting the medical treatment that they need, since they're going to their family practice physician instead of a infectious disease control doctor.

Women of color account for 80 percent of all women estimated to be living with AIDS, with Black women making up 64 percent of that total alone. Women across racial/ethnic groups most commonly report heterosexual contact or injection drug use as their primary modes of exposure to HIV. Black and Hispanic women accounted for 81 percent of new AIDS diagnoses in 2004. HIV/AIDS was the leading cause of death among African American women ages 25-34 and the third leading cause for ages 35-44 in 2002. HIV/AIDS was also the fourth leading cause of death for Hispanic women ages 35-44.

African Americans account for 40 percent of the total estimated AIDS diagnoses through 2004, though they make up only 12.2 percent of the population. They also represent an estimated 50 percent of persons newly diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 2004. Hispanics account for 19 percent of total estimated AIDS diagnoses through 2004, though they make up only 14.2 percent of the population. The number of Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indian/Alaska Natives living with AIDS continues to rise, with an approximately 10 percent increase each year over the past five years.

March 5th through March 11th marks the 17th Annual Black Church Week of Pray for the Heal of AIDS. This is a powerful week of prayer and education that engages Black congregations to take action towards stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in Black communities worldwide. Episcopalians care! Okay, so what if they're up in a tizzy about the appointment of a Gay Bishop. Big Woop! They had a problem with Blacks, in spite of the fact that Absalom Jones was the first Black Minister and Bishop for Episcopalians. And he is now a Saint in the Episcopal faith.

The same folks foamed at the mouths and showed their true colors about Women becoming Vicars and Bishops with the Rt. Rev. Nedi Rivera being the newly appointed Bishop in Washington. During a recent talk with Rivera, she suggested that I should make AIDS my ministry, which I totally agreed with. The Episcopalian Diocese published a booklet with resources for those inflicted with AIDS/HIV. They do their part in giving to those in need the help that they need. Along with the love, compassion, and support that one seeks when suffering from an illness with no cure. We are often alienated from families, friends, and so-called church families. Episcopalians are here to help, serve, comfort, and administer healing with the power of prayer Amen! This is how you express the love of God towards other.