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Gay Men's Health Crisis Dedicates Black History Month
to President Obama in Honor of "Choosing Hope Over Fear"
Hosts and Dedicates Series of Events and HIV Testing Days
February 3, 2009, New York, NY, — GMHC is proud to dedicate Black History Month, an annual series of events and HIV testing days, to the new leadership of President Obama in honor of his inaugural declaration, "Choosing Hope over Fear." This message continues to resound in communities across the United States and throughout the world. Yet, as he takes office, the rates of HIV infections in the black communities continue to rise and the underlying factors that place people at risk continue to be in the forefront.
In August 2008, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released revised estimates of HIV infections in 2006, it was reported that infection rates among black women and men were seven times as high as white women and men. Also in August 2008, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported revised estimates from 2006 indicating blacks and Hispanics accounted for 77% of new HIV infections among MSM under age 30, versus 59% of those aged 30 to 50. The new findings showed that black and Hispanic New Yorkers were at greater risk than whites in 2006. Blacks, who accounted for nearly half (46%) of the city's new infections, were infected at 3.5 times the rate of whites.
The new estimates of HIV infection underscore the need for a national AIDS strategy, which would, among other outcomes, reduce HIV-related racial disparities across the country. There is a distinct sense of promise through President Obama's commitment to address the urgent issues of HIV/AIDS which includes developing and implementing a national AIDS strategy. Individuals and organizations can show their support by visiting www.nationalaidsstrategy.org. This is an opportunity to connect to President Obama's focus on an "Era of Responsibility" which is a Call to Action for increased community mobilization.
Event Schedule:
GMHC is commemorating Black History month by hosting several community events in February. Click here for a detailed schedule of events.
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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. We provide prevention and care services to more than 15,000 men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City, and advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.
Our Mission: GMHC fights to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected.
© 2008 Gay Men's Health Crisis |
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