February marks the seventh annual observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). This national mobilization effort is designed to encourage African Americans nationwide to become more knowledgeable about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) disease, to get tested to know one's HIV status, and to seek treatment for HIV/AIDS. African Americans represent an estimated 13 percent of the U.S. population, yet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 49 percent of those currently living with AIDS in this country are African American.
"Special events such as free HIV/AIDS testing, town hall meetings, candlelight vigils and faith-based programs are being held throughout the country. However, we must do more to stop the spread of this disease," said Albert W. Morris, M.D., president of the National Medical Association (NMA).
Despite 26 years of dealing with the disease, HIV/AIDS continues to be a critical health crisis for African Americans. The NMA strongly recommends that everyone be tested for HIV because there are a significant number of individuals who are unaware that they are infected and have never been diagnosed. "What is most disturbing regarding this epidemic is that we continue to diagnose African Americans at an advanced stage at their initial diagnosis. These individuals do not receive the benefits from early treatment which can prolong their lives," said, Dr. Virginia Caine, director, Marion County Health Department (Indiana) and NMA member.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics 2006 Report, HIV/AIDS is one of the top ten leading causes of death for African Americans. In the same year, African Americans accounted for more than half (54 percent) of the estimated new HIV infections in the United States. "It is clear that African Americans have been ravaged by this disease," says Los Angeles physician and director of the OASIS Clinic, Dr. Wilbert Jordan.
"The NMA supports the CDC recommendations and strongly recommends that physicians and other healthcare professionals offer routine HIV testing to their patients," concluded Dr. Morris. To support the NMA's call-to-action, Dr. Bennett Desdaier, president of the NMA affiliate, Aesculapian Medical Society in Indianapolis, Indiana; Dr. Wilbert Jordan, Los Angles; Dr. Robert Cater, Indianapolis; Dr. Mercy Obeime, Indianapolis; and Dr. Rodney Hood, San Diego are but a few of NMA physicians offering HIV testing from their offices to patients.
While NBHAAD is a nationwide effort, organizers have issued a Call to Action to cities, (e.g., Washington, DC; Atlanta, GA; Newark, NJ; Gary, IN; East St. Louis, IL; Baltimore, MD and others with high incidences of HIV and AIDS for African Americans) to host a "RE-Sound the Alarm" to ensure that Black communities realize that the epidemic continues to spread.
For additional information on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2007, see http://www.blackaidsday.org. For additional information on HIV/AIDS see http://www.cdc.gov. The NMA is oldest and largest organization which represents the interests of over 30,000 Black physicians and their patients. For additional information, visit http://www.NMAnet.org.
National Medical Association
http://www.NMAnet.org
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