The Black AIDS Institute has released a new report that details the history of Black America’s AIDS epidemic. The report—entitled AIDS in Black Face: 25 Years of an Epidemic—is a collection of testimonials marking the 25th anniversary of the first AIDS diagnosis.
According to a press release from the institute, more than half of all people who live with HIV/AIDS and who are newly infected with HIV each year are African Americans. Among women, Blacks account for two-thirds of all new infections. Moreover, recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studies estimate that nearly half of all Black gay and bisexual men in some of America’s urban centers are already infected.
These facts represent an unprecedented crisis for Black America.
Testimonies are drawn from five broad sectors of the Black community: politics, community organizing, the church, the arts and the news media. Notables such as actors Danny Glover and Sheryl Lee Ralph as well as political figures such as Congresswoman Maxine Waters are among those who offer their views.
A copy of the report can be accessed at www.BlackAIDS.org.