Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

In AIDS Battle, US Victims Take Back Seat

Time to wake up to needs of at-risk Americans

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 1, 2010 1:48 PM CST

(Newser) – This year has seen big advancements in the battle against AIDS, and the US has made “great progress” fighting the disease abroad, as George W. Bush noted in a World AIDS Day op-ed. But “why aren’t we more committed to end AIDS at home?” asks Cornelius Baker in the Boston Globe, particularly when it comes to prevention among African Americans, “who comprise nearly half of all new HIV infections?”

Some 1.1 million US residents have HIV, and more than 56,000 new cases appear here each year. It’s time to “fully commit” to the White House’s National HIV/AIDS strategy, and that requires adequate funding for “research and programs,” including demonstrations of new preventive drugs in the 12 hardest-hit cities. Then, we need to focus on the hardest-hit populations, “most notably African Americans, Latinos, and all gay men.”

A red ribbon hangs from the the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov., 30, 2010, to commemorate World Aids Day.
A red ribbon hangs from the the North Portico of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov., 30, 2010, to commemorate World Aids Day.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

HIV is untamed, frighteningly so among African-American communities, and we need to fight it with all our might. - A. Cornelius Baker

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
0%
0%
0%
80%
4%
16%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
Mr.C
Dec 2, 2010 1:16 PM CST
Q: Why isn't the US the focus? A: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/mitchell_besser_mothers_helping_mothers_fight_hiv.html (first half)
Mr.C
Dec 1, 2010 8:59 PM CST
African Americans make up less than 2% of newly infected world-wide. That is why Africa deserves the spotlight here. In the US 1.1 million have it - in sub-Africa, 1.3 million die from it each year. 33 million have HIV in the world. Most of those people don't have any access to medical anything.
UmbrellaExecutive
Dec 1, 2010 3:30 PM CST
Well Cornelius Baker, it would appear that everyone has gotten with the program when it comes to AIDS. I think you'll deserve a legitimate answer when you can give me a legitimate answer to this question... "Why can't black people wrap it up?" Black people also have the highest rate of unplanned pregnancy outside of marriage. http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/resources/dcr/SectionB/DCR_B10.pdf I remember one time this came up during a presidential debate, asking what the nominees thought about black communities being so susceptible to aids and what they planned to do about it. What else can we do? Start castrating people? The means and knowledge to protect yourself are there; use them.
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   World History Project   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne