Events Aim To Address Teen Sex, HIV/AIDS, HPV in Black Communities
The following summarizes recent events and initiatives that addressed teen sex, HIV/AIDS and the human papillomavirus in the black community.
- Cook County, Ill.: The Pastors Network, an organization of churches throughout Cook County, Ill., has partnered with the Let's Talk, Let's Test Foundation to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in the black community, the Chicago Defender reports. More than 50 pastors in Chicago are expected to encourage residents to be tested for HIV and to receive a test themselves at a South Side Chicago church (Chaney, Chicago Defender, 3/24).
- Vigo County, Ind.: The Minority Health Coalition of Vigo County on Thursday hosted a town hall meeting at Indiana State University's African-American Cultural Center that aimed to educate individuals on issues that affect diabetes patients, the Terre Haute Tribune Star reports. The event, "Know Your Numbers, Know Your Symptoms," coincides with Gov. Mitch Daniels' (R) recognition of National Minority Health Month in April, during which diabetes awareness events will take place across the state (Arceo, Terre Haute Tribune Star, 3/27).
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National Medical Association: NMA beginning March 24 held a four-day conference in Arlington, Va., that discussed policies and practices related to the HPV vaccine, pay-for-performance and other medical topics. More than 150 medical practitioners, scholars and state legislators participated in the Eighth National Colloquium on African-American Health conference, "The Quality Movement and Its Impact on Healthcare Disparities" (NMA/Earth Times release, 3/28).
- San Bernardino, Calif.: The Mu Xi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in partnership with the March of Dimes last week held a conference to teach young black men about sexually transmitted infections, Black Voices reports. The conference, called Project Alpha, began in 1980 to increase awareness among young black males about relationship and sexual health issues (Levister, Black Voices, 3/22).
