Detroit Free Press Examines Advocacy Group’s Efforts To Reach Out to Arab Community, Reduce HIV/AIDS Stigma

The Detroit Free Press on Monday examined the Dearborn, Mich.-based advocacy group Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services' efforts to reduce HIV/AIDS-related stigma among Arabs nationwide and raise awareness about the virus. According to the Free Press, the group has translated HIV/AIDS education materials into Arabic, provided testing at no cost to more than 3,000 people annually and encouraged religious leaders to address HIV/AIDS in churches and mosques. ACCESS and federal health officials on Monday launched a one-year, Web-based national campaign promoting HIV/AIDS awareness among Arabs. According to advocates, stigma associated with the virus in Arab communities is strong because of religious and cultural taboos about homosexuality and extramarital and premarital sex. "It's our job to break the silence," Adnan Hammad, health director for ACCESS, said (Anstett, Detroit Free Press, 5/15).