GOV'T ASKED TO HELP BLACK AMERICANS FIGHT HIV AND AIDS

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Black politicians, civil rights leaders and
medical experts issued a call to the federal government and
newly-elected members of Congress today to expand programs that help
fight HIV and AIDS among African Americans.

A five-point strategy to reduce the impact of the disease in the
black community is detailed in the report released by the National
Minority AIDS Council. It includes programs ranging from free condoms
in prison to injection drug prevention programs to affordable housing.

The report, "African Americans, Health Disparities and HIV/AIDS:
Recommendations for Confronting the Epidemic in Black Americans," was
released in advance of World AIDS Day, which is Dec. 1.

African American men, women and children now account for half of new
HIV diagnoses and 55 percent of people dying nationally of AIDS,
although they make up 13 percent of the U.S. population.

"In 2006, AIDS in America is a black disease," said Phill Wilson,
executive director of the Black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles.

"We have to stop the devastation this disease is causing in our
community, and I think this plan offers a clear blueprint," said Rep.
Barbara Lee. "The fact is that this administration and the Republican
Congress have never paid much attention to the needs of African
American or minority communities when it comes to fighting AIDS, and
you can bet that we are going to work to change that in the new Congress."

The five recommendations are:

Support the strengthening of stable African-American communities by
addressing the need for more affordable housing.

Reduce the impact of incarceration as a driver of new HIV infection
within the African American community.

Eliminate marginalization of -- and reduce stigma and discrimination
against -- black gay men and other men who have sex with men.

Expand HIV prevention education programs, promote the early
identification of HIV through voluntary, routine testing and connect
those in need of treatment to it as early as possible.

Reduce the number of HIV infections in the African American community
caused by injection drug use through the expansion of substance abuse
prevention programs, drug treatment and recovery services and clean
needle exchange programs.

Supporters of the policies include the Urban League, the NAACP and
several members of Congress and AIDS organizations.