EPIDEMIC HIV/AIDS RATES ADDRESSED BY SATURDAY GROUP

Within a week of taking office, Barack Obama became the first
president to incorporate a national HIV/AIDs strategy in his civil
rights agenda.

And with good reason.

Blacks account for nearly 13 percent of the nation's population, but
50 percent of all newly diagnosed AIDS cases.

In Delaware blacks make up 67 percent of residents with HIV/AIDS.
Blacks make up 67 percent of Delaware residents with HIV/AIDS, up
from 44 percent 20 years ago. In November, Delaware received the
worst grade a state can get for death rates for blacks with HIV--
almost 15 times as high as for whites.

These numbers are why the Eighth Annual National Black HIV/AIDS
Awareness Conference being held at Wilmington's Double Tree Hotel on
Saturday was turning away registrants on Thursday.

There's no debate that personal responsibility to avoid risky
behavior remains key.

However, longtime AIDS workers make a valid case that the wide
disparities are tied to more than just poverty and irresponsible
behavior. Drug addicts refuse clean-needle exchange programs out of
erroneous fears that they will be arrested. Lack of treatment or
counseling for related medical conditions, such as depression, cause
some patients to skip dosages or become overwhelmed by the regimented
medication that is required to stay healthy.

Organizers of Saturday's conference plan to mobilize the faith
community with presentations that encourage development of more
prevention and outreach ministries.

They are to be commended for taking on the full spectrum of a public
health issue that in many sectors remains hindered by unfounded fears
and avoidable public ignorance.