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AIDS/HIV hits Blacks hardest (cont. page 2)
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There has been an 11 percent increase in heterosexual HIV transmission
in African American men and with a 20 percent higher infection rate
than whitewomen, African American women make up 63 percent of all
women reported with AIDS.
The CDC cites three reasons for the spread of the disease in communities
of color: "The continued health disparities between economic
classes, the challenges related to controlling substance abuse,
and the intersection of substance abuse and the epidemic of H IV
and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)."McCullough
said that injection drug users, which are the highest risk category
making up 38 percent of all HIV cases, often expose their mates
and their unborn children to the disease.
Additionally, McCullough said that the culture within the African
American community plays a role. "We're dying of this disease
because of our silence," saidMcCullough. "We can't be
silent anymore because to be silent is to spread it." "Half
the people who are infected don't know they're infected because
they don't want to get tested." McCullough, who gave a comprehensive
presentation on H1V/AIDS that included down-to-earth terminology
and realistic demonstrations, said that there are many misconceptions
about AIDS within the black community. She said that there are only
four ways for AIDS to be transmitted: blood, semen,vaginal fluids,
and breast milk. McCullough pointed out that contrary to popular
opinion, you can not get the disease from kissing or sitting on
a toilet seat. She said that while AIDS is transmitted through fluids,
you would have to drink about 50 gallons of someone's saliva to
be infected with the virus.
McCullough also talked about the epidemic increasing in a surprising
population: the elderly. She said that factors such as the death
of a mate, the drug Viagra, and the medical community's inability
to view seniors as sexual people cause many older people with the
disease to be misdiagnosed.
A nurse for 25 years and AIDS activists for the past five years,
McCullough said she was very pleased with the turnout of the education
workshop. She told the over 50 members of the Shrines of the Black
Madonna that she usually does her presentations at churches for
just 10-15 people. But McCullough cautions the audience' that attendance
and education aren't enough.
As churches, you've got work to do," McCullough said. "We
need to look at what we can do as a church. Go back and look at
your mission."
"The church is the frontline in the Black community,"
said Cardinal Baye Landy of the Shrines of the Black Madonna. "We
also need to be in the frontline of anything that threatens our
survival AIDS is threatening the survival of people of color."
AIDS educator Carol McCullough demonstrates proper usage of a female
condom during an AIDS educational workshop held at the Shrine of
the Black Madonna
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