Pennsylvania: Groups Join Forces to Promote AIDS Tests

The Kingsley Association, WAMO Radio, the Southwestern Pennsylvania AIDS Planning Coalition and Pittsburgh ministers launched a partnership to spread the word about National HIV/AIDS Testing Day on June 27. The kickoff was held at the Kingsley Association in East Liberty, a neighborhood institution that provides classes, programs and services to the predominantly black community that surrounds it.

The setting was deliberate. According to the CDC, HIV/AIDS affects African-Americans at a disproportionate rate compared to the general population. AIDS is the leading killer of African-American males ages 25-44 and is the second-leading killer of African-American women in the same age group. Black children represent 59 percent of the total AIDS cases among children. Of the 40,000 new HIV cases reported annually, more than 50 percent occur among African-Americans.

To demonstrate the simplicity of the HIV test, the Rev. Thomas Smith of Monumental Baptist Church in the Hill District took OraSure, an oral HIV test approved by the FDA in 1996. In the test, a health worker uses a cotton pad to gather mucous membrane from between the client's teeth and cheek. Testing is quick and results are anonymous. Smith would like to see more churches make HIV testing a part of their congregational outreach to improve a community's health, much as they already do with blood pressure and diabetes checks.

On June 25, the Kingsley Association will host a reception for the opening of the photographic exhibit "Heroes of the Struggle." The exhibit pays tribute to celebrities and physicians involved in the fight against AIDS and features actress Whoopi Goldberg, singer Mary J. Blige, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), and others. For more information call the Southwestern Pennsylvania AIDS Planning Coalition at 412-242-2441.

Back to other CDC news for June 17, 2002

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