MASSACHUSETTS BLACK ELECTED OFFICIALS TO BE TESTED FOR HIV TO MARK NATIONAL HIV TESTING DAY

Join with AIDS Organizations to Urge
Massachusetts Residents to Know Their Status

BOSTON, June 26, 2007 — Members of the Massachusetts Black Legislative Caucus (MBLC) and Black State Elected Officials have pledged to personally take an HIV test in an effort to highlight the heavy toll the disease is taking on communities of color in Massachusetts and across the nation.

“We as Elected Officials are 100% committed to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic in every community,” said MBLC Vice-Chair Gloria Fox. “Today, we are focusing attention on the disproportionate impact the disease is having on Black and Latino residents. There is a major public health crisis happening right here in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States. We need to make sure the appropriate resources are available to end this epidemic.”

“I salute these courageous Black State Legislators for supporting HIV testing in Black communities across the Commonwealth and for offering a strong example by getting tested themselves,” said John Auerbach, Commissioner of Public Health for Massachusetts. “I also thank the collaborating AIDS organizations, namely AIDS Action, JRI Health, MAC and Healing Our Land, for facilitating testing for these public leaders.”

“Knowing one’s HIV status is essential to stopping the spread of this disease,” said Rep. Byron Rushing. “The two reasons to get tested are to get into care if you are HIV positive and to stay negative if you are HIV negative.”

“It’s powerful to have this group of legislators deliver today the important message of getting tested for HIV, and taking action on one of the most critical issues that face the people of the Commonwealth and the country,” said Gary Daffin, Executive Director of the Multicultural AIDS Coalition. “They’re here because they care!”

Key Facts About HIV and Black Americans:

* While Blacks comprise only 13% of the nation’s population, they account for 50% of HIV infections

* HIV is one of the leading causes of death for U.S. Black adults

* Blacks in Massachusetts are 10 times more likely to be infected with HIV than white residents.

* Black women are 39 times more likely to become infected with HIV than white women in Massachusetts.

* Among youth aged 13-24 across the nation, Blacks accounted for 61% of HIV diagnoses. In Massachusetts, Black and Latinos are more likely to be diagnosed during adolescence than their white counterparts.

* In one national five-city study, 46% of young Black men who have sex with men tested HIV positive. A majority of them did not know they were infected.

* 1/3 of Blacks in Massachusetts who test positive for HIV already have already progressed to AIDS diagnosis by the time they reach care.

[The above photo is of members of the Massachusetts Black Legislative Caucus and representatives from the collaborating organizations including AIDS Action Committee, JRI Health, Healing our Land Inc. and the Multicultural AIDS Coalition.]