Blacks battle against HIV on new frontier

By: George E Curry/NNPA Special Correspondent

Posted: 6/28/09

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - Mamie Harris, executive director of IV-CHARIS, a Cincinnati faith-based HIV/AIDS support group, figured out the problem: Too few African-Americans were being tested for HIV because the efforts to reach them were ineffective, unimaginative and dated.

So, the widow of a prominent local pastor initiated a series of innovative programs aimed at increasing the number of Black Ohioans being tested for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

"Everybody had gotten lethargic about HIV," said the head of IV-CHARIS (Compassionate Hearts Assisting Rebuilding Instructing Serving). "We've been talking about this for 27 years and people had been hearing the same message and had the feeling that 'I've heard this before.' We're trying to mobilize the community to attack the problem."

She isn't the only one trying to mobilize African-Americans to get tested for HIV. Saturday, June 27, is National HIV Testing Day. And throughout the country, community leaders and activists will urge people to get tested so that they can know their HIV status. If they are HIV positive, the sooner they enter a treatment program, the better chance they will have to live longer.

Early indications are that Cincinnati is developing the prototype for innovative new ways to reach African-Americans, most of who are being tested for the first time.

In one instance, a local group that performs plays about contemporary issues, wanted to stage a play about HIV, but didn't have the resources to offer HIV testing to attendees. IV-CHARIS had the ability to test, but did not know how to reach those interested in attending the play. So, Harris and the play producers struck a deal: the actors would stick to the acting and Harris' organization would do what it does best: offer testing, treatment and counseling referrals, if necessary.

Harris also found another unlikely place to test for HIV. "Some people didn't want to be tested in public, so we threw a series of house parties," she said. "We tested people there. We also had a Motown karaoke."

To complement those efforts, ER employees began testing for HIV. Perhaps the most surprising result has been among Black churches, a conservative institution in a conservative city. So far, three churches have allowed Harris' group to test on a Sunday - two after worship service and one that allowed members to get tested during the service and receive results before leaving.

Through its special efforts, testing during the first quarter of this year is 1,500 above the normal testing load, Harris said.

Her organization is partnering with local and state health departments, major civil rights organizations and other community groups to encourage more extensive testing. Nationally, HIV/AIDS is devastating the Black community:

1. Although African-Americans represent only 12 percent of the U.S. population, they accounted for nearly half of all AIDS cases diagnosed in 2006;

2. Black women represented 66 percent of all new AIDS cases among women in 2006.

3. Black teens accounted for 69 percent of new AIDS cases reported among teens in 2006.

Despite those numbers, a Kaiser Family Foundation study released in April found signs of hope.

4. African-Americans are more seriously concerned about HIV/AIDS than Whites.

HIV testing was highest among young adults (18-29). Nearly half - 47 percent - of young African-Americans reported being tested in the last 12 months, compared to 23 percent of Whites.

The study also revealed some trends that could help health officials do a more effective job of planning. For example, 70 percent of youth (18-29) said they have not been tested for HIV because they don't think they are at risk. Additionally, most people (65 percent) said they decided to get tested because they thought it was a good idea. Twenty-six percent said they were tested at the suggestion of a health care provider, 21 percent were tested because they feared they might be infected and 9 percent were tested because a partner recommended it.

"The earlier a person discovers that he or she is HIV positive, the better opportunity we'll have to extend that person's life through treatment," C. Virginia Fields, president and CEO of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, explained.

The Los Angeles-based Black AIDS Institute has launched a Test 1 Million Campaign. The goal is to get 1 million people tested by next June.reach."