Black Caucus leads drive to declare AIDS crisis among blacks a public health emergency

Blacks now represent 35 percent of all reported cases of AIDS and 43 percent of new cases, even though Blacks comprise only 12 percent of the U.S. population, says a recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

This startling fact has alarmed the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), chaired by U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, and several other major Black organizations, including the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (BLCA), so much that they have joined to formally request that U.S. Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala declare the HIV/AIDS crisis in the Black community a "public health emergency."

"Some feared that the AIDS epidemic could literally wipe out the Black community if it continues to go unchallenged," Waters told JET of the reaction of some of the more than 20 public health workers, AIDS activists and representatives from all over the country and the Department of Health and Human Services who gathered in D.C. in May to assess and plan to control the crisis.

"It's an epidemic," she continued. "It demands a response from the highest levels of government. The CBC is attempting to bring attention in every conceivable way. We've got to do the work of AIDS activists in sounding the alarm through speeches, press conferences and meeting with groups to speak out. It is a responsibility of every African American to take this crisis seriously and to find ways to help educate and reach out and get people tested and cared for."

After the meeting, Waters wrote a letter to Shalala to make the request. A month later, Shalala replied. She wrote, "There is no question that the face of HIV/AIDS has changed, and that HIV/AIDS in the African-American and other minority communities, warrants a special and unique response."

She added, "Our goal is a candid review and assessment of what is happening on the state, local and community levels given the changing nature and demographics of HIV/AIDS." She noted the review will consider factors other than funding and infrastructure, such as those related to social conditions, economic and community resources, Blacks' perceptions about the health care system, and linkages between HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and substance abuse providers.

Debra Fraser-Howze, founder and president of the BLCA, told JET that once Shalala does an investigation and deems the HIV/AIDS crisis in the Black community a "public health emergency," the motion will move to the president and surgeon general.

"It would be hard for all departments not to say we don't have a state of emergency," said Fraser-Howze, whose BLCA is one of the many organizations that have banded with the CBC in its effort.

BLCA, founded in 1987 by Fraser-Howze, is the oldest and largest non-profit organization of its kind in the United States.