The Women's Institute at GMHC Launches New AIDS Awareness Campaign
for Women of Color in Harlem and Brooklyn
New York, NY — Local community leaders joined the Women's Institute at Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) for the launch of a new AIDS awareness campaign for women of color this morning at the New York State Office Building in Harlem. The campaign, consisting of posters at subway entrances in some of Central Harlem and Brooklyn neighborhoods with the highest rates of HIV infection among women of color, and postcards for distribution throughout New York City, features the image of a woman of color and the tagline: "HIV: We're Not Taking it Lying Down."
"This campaign provides us with an opportunity to speak directly to the power of women while promoting AIDS awareness and fostering a sense of community," said Marjorie J. Hill, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer of GMHC. "Our work is strengthened by our relationships with other organizations that serve women in Central Harlem and Brooklyn, as well the support of our elected officials."
The campaign aims to create visibility of HIV/AIDS as an issue affecting women in communities of color and reinforce awareness of the existence of the Women's Institute. The campaign is linked to the HIV prevention outreach and safer sex education work of the Institute's peer educators in local community venues.
According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Brooklyn had the highest AIDS death rate in the city in 2004. Within the borough, Central Brooklyn is the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, with an AIDS death rate over two times higher than the city's overall AIDS death rate. Recent NYC Department of Health data also indicate that women of color comprise 95% of new HIV infections among women.
The campaign was funded by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and designed by Better World Advertising, with input from peer educators and community members.
The Women's Institute at GMHC provides education, prevention, advocacy and support services to women and their families living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.
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Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. Our mission is to reduce the spread of HIV disease, help people with HIV maintain and improve their health and independence, and keep the prevention, treatment and cure of HIV an urgent national and local priority. In fulfilling this mission, we will remain true to our heritage by fighting homophobia and affirming the individual dignity of all gay men and lesbians. We provide services and programs to over 15,000 men, women and families that are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in New York City, and outreach and education to hundreds of thousands throughout the world. For more information, please visit www.gmhc.org.
© 2007 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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