Publication: HIV Impact: Breaking the Silence, The Black Church Addresses HIV

• Swartz, Aimee

	AIDS is the leading cause of death among African Americans
age 25-44 years. About half of all new U.S. HIV cases are
African Americans, though African Americans make up only 13
percent of the population. Most U.S. children living with
HIV are African American. There exists a strong pattern of
resistance and denial of the disease in the African
American community. Since the black church remains the
cornerstone of this community, it is uniquely positioned to
significantly affect knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and
behaviors within the congregation. Through personal
linkages to community members, ministers can often get
messages across without encountering resistance. Some
religious leaders nationwide are talking the lead in
addressing HIV and AIDS within the African American
community. This newsletter also includes articles on:
"OMHRC Presents Internet Poster at Internet AIDS
Conference"; "Maintaining a Direct Line to the Latino
Community: Spanish Language Education Programs"; "Getting
Youth Involved: NAFEO Pioneers HIV/AIDS Education Program
at HBCUs"; "Addressing the Risk: HIV in Young African
American Men"; "Helping Close the Treatment Gaps: AIDS Drug
Assistance Programs"; "Border Health Initiatives: Preventing
Cross-Border HIV Infection in Men"; "Hepatitis C
Coinfection: A Dangerous Trend"; and "CDC Calls for New
Health Promotion Strategies Study: Intentional Unprotected
Sex Increasing among MSMs" (all articles by Aimee Swartz);
and "Caribbean Women Organize against HIV: Group Provides
Services for Region's Immigrants" (Ellen Schnepel and John
Glover). (SM)