CDC

Cynthia E. Griffin-  |   OW Managing Editor
Mar 8 2012

Blacks account for more than half of the disease sufferers

Thirty years after the HIV/AIDS epidemic was officially recognized by the United States medical establishment, the impact the disease has had on the African American community is profound.

In fact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has described the situation as a crisis. Consider these facts:

1) Although Blacks represent only about 14 percent of the U.S. population, they account for almost half the people living with AIDS in the nation—46 percent, or an estimated 545,000 people.

CDC
Feb 7 2012

Blacks account for almost half the people living with a HIV

African Americans and HIV/AIDS
By race/ethnicity, African Americans face the most severe burden of HIV in the United States. At the end of 2007, Blacks accounted for almost half (46%) of people living with a diagnosis of HIV infection in the 37 states and 5 U.S.-dependent areas with long-term, confidential, name-based HIV reporting.

Dec 8 2011

An open letter to people of faith in Los Angeles

I write this letter based on my affected but not infected status. I write this letter because I would like to initiate a discussion about HIV/AIDS in the Black community. I write this letter, because of the impact this disease has had on both my life and my family’s lives. 

Rebecca Rona-Tuttle  |   OW Contributor
Nov 17 2011

Oliver Brooks explains why it’s important

It’s the middle of flu season, and Oliver Brooks, M.D., struggles to convince adults—especially African American adults—to get their flu shots and to immunize their children.

When given the choice, most people would choose good health over poor health, the doctor believes. But despite this, many African Americans avoid flu immunizations and put themselves at risk.

Julianne Malveaux  |   OW Contributing Columnist
Nov 3 2011

A rare but devastating disease

Evergrace Davis knows that her son Terrence is lucky. He is a meningitis survivor. He beat a disease that kills one in every seven afflicted.

At just 20 months old, Terrence awoke with a cough and fever. Like most moms, Evergrace thought he was coming down with the flu. But when her son’s symptoms didn’t improve, Evergrace took Terrance to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis. He remained in the hospital recovering for two weeks.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.