Newspapers Cover Local Events, AIDS Awareness Efforts on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Saturday marked the fourth annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which is sponsored by the Community Capacity Building Coalition, a consortium of national minority-focused groups supported by CDC through the National Minority AIDS Initiative. The CCBC includes: Concerned Black Men, the Health Watch Information and Promotion Service, the Jackson State University-Mississippi Urban Research Center, the National Black Alcoholism and Addictions Council and the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Web site, 2/8). The goal of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is to urge African Americans to "get educated, get tested and get involved" with HIV/AIDS in black communities (NBHAAD release, 1/20). Although African Americans represent about 12% of the U.S. population, more than 50% of all AIDS cases diagnosed in 2002 were among African Americans. HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson in a statement said that National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day "serves as a springboard for action against the devastating effects HIV/AIDS continues to have on the African-American community" and "is an important opportunity to understand and educate people nationwide about mobilizing in the fight against HIV/AIDS." Thompson added, "Together, we can make a difference" (HHS release, 2/6).
Newspaper Coverage
Newspapers around the country covered events taking place in honor of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Links to some of the articles published appear below:
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AP/Charlotte Observer, "Health workers take aim at AIDS: In N.C. towns, focus is on stemming disease among minorities" (Holmes, AP/Charlotte Observer, 2/8).
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Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Groups share facts about blacks, AIDS" (Guthrie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2/7).
- Austin American-Statesman, "Offer of free HIV testing draws few takers" (Brulliard, Austin American-Statesman, 2/8).
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Cincinnati Enquirer, "Volunteers warn African Americans about AIDS threat" (Leingang, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2/8).
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Daytona Beach News-Journal, "Groups to promote AIDS awareness" (Weiss, Daytona Beach News-Journal, 2/6).
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Houston Chronicle, "Pop group brings message on HIV's prevalence" (Lezon, Houston Chronicle, 2/7).
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New Orleans Times-Picayune, "AIDS program geared to African Americans" (Kaplinsky, New Orleans Times-Picayune, 2/8).
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Omaha World-Herald, "Advocates say AIDS takes toll on blacks" (Grace, Omaha World-Herald, 2/7).
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South Florida Sun-Sentinel, "HIV group stresses dangers for blacks" (LaMendola, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 2/7).
Media Coverage
The following broadcast programs reported on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day:
- CNN's "Live Sunday": The segment includes comments from former Surgeon General David Satcher (Whitfield, "Live Sunday," CNN, 2/8). The complete transcript is available online.
- CNN's "Saturday Night": The segment includes comments from Debra Fraser-Howze, president and CEO of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS; Zachary Jones, a bishop with the Unity Fellowship Church Movement; J.L. King, author of the book "No More Secrets, No More Lies"; and AIDS advocates Maria Davis and Michael Saunders (Udoji, "Saturday Night," CNN, 2/7). The complete transcript is available online.
- NPR's "Tavis Smiley Show": The segment includes comments from Jacob Levenson, author of the book "The Secret Epidemic: The Story of AIDS and Black America," and Dr. Mindy Fullilove, a psychiatrist whose work is featured in the book (Smiley, "Tavis Smiley Show," NPR, 2/6). The complete segment is available online in RealPlayer.
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.