East District 2012 AIDS/HIV Day
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Observance
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is commemorated and observed annually on February 7. NBHAAD is a national HIV testing and treatment community mobilization initiative which focuses on ways to increase awareness, participation, and support for HIV prevention among African Americans. The 2012 theme is “We are our brother/sister’s keeper: Fight HIV/AIDS.
According to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention AIDS continues to claim the lives of too many African American men and women. Since the beginning of the epidemic, more than 240,000 blacks with AIDS have died and, according to the most recent published data, AIDS is the third leading cause of death among black women and men aged 35 to 44.
The HIV crisis in African American communities threatens the health, well-being, and potential of African American men and women throughout the United States. Although prevention efforts have been established to maintain stability in the overall level of HIV infections among African Americans for more than a decade, African Americans continue to face the most severe burden of HIV and AIDS of all racial/ethnic groups in the nation.
Research reveals that the faith-based community recognizes the importance of addressing the impact of the HIV epidemic among African Americans. Through prayer, information, education and empowerment the faith based community strives to achieve the following goals aimed at eliminating health disparities facing the Black community:
1. Share examples of faith-based programs and faith leadership involvement in HIV prevention.
- Identify religious and theological principles that support HIV prevention.
- Understand the potential roles and activities that faith leaders may undertake in HIV prevention.
- Discover strategies to facilitate partnerships between public health and faith communities in support of HIV prevention.
As an Essential Church: Poised for Twenty First Century Ministry, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church plays a powerful role in the fight against HIV prevention. The CME Church encourages all members, families and friends on this NBHAAD to get the facts about HIV; get tested and speak out against homophobia and stigma. Everyone and every action make a difference in the war against HIV/AIDS. Remember, “We are our brother/sister’s keeper: Fight HIV/AIDS.
For information, citations, helpful links and ideas on how faith communities can initiate, or enhance existing, HIV/AIDS activities or programs, please visit the following Web sites:
Submitted by: Dr. Odessa Darrough, Health and Wellness Coordinator, First Episcopal District, CME Church
