Blacks, research and HIV subject of program
"Conversations on HIV Research" a program addressing the gaps between research and the HIV epidemic among Black gay and bi men, will be held March 29, noon-5:30 p.m., University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration, 969 E. 60th Street. The event is free, RSVP at www.chiblackgaycaucus.org by March 23.
Among the presenters are Dr. Kimberly Smith, Cathy Cohen, PhD, Dr. John Schneider, Nikhil Prachand from the Chicago Dept., of Public Health, and Lesley Craig from the U.S. Dept. Of Health & Human Services.
New initiative responds to gender-based violence in global HIV response
On March 14 at the White House, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Melanne Verveer and U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator Ambassador Eric Goosby announced a joint initiative to provide $4.65 million in small grants to grassroots organizations to address gender-based violence ( GBV ) issues.
With funding from the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief ( PEPFAR ) , the initiative supports programs that prevent and respond to GBV, with a link to HIV prevention, treatment and care. Grants of up to $100,000 for programs that leverage existing HIV/AIDS platforms will be awarded to organizations working in one of more than 80 PEPFAR countries. U.S. Embassies and Consulates will oversee and support these grants.
Addressing gender inequities and norms is essential to reducing the vulnerability of women and girls to HIV infection. One in three women worldwide will experience GBV in their lifetime, and in some countries, 70 percent of female populations are affected. Gender-based violence increases women and girls' overall vulnerability to HIV, with country studies indicating an up to three-fold risk of HIV infection among women who experience violence. GBV also fosters the spread of HIV by limiting women's ability to negotiate safe sexual practices, disclose HIV status and access services, due to fear of further violence. While women and girls are the most affected by GBV, men and boys are also victims of these abuses.
The U.S. Government, including the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues ( S/GWI ) at the Department of State and the interagency PEPFAR initiative, is committed to advancing women's health and rights, a core principle of the U.S. Global Health Initiative. Through the GBV small grants program, grassroots organizations will receive support to prevent and respond to GBV, helping to address the structural drivers of both violence and HIV. In addition, the grants will strengthen the capacity of such organizations to access other sources of funding. This will contribute to a longer-term effort to create an AIDS-free generation and societies free of violence, where women and men can realize their full potential. The State Department and sister agencies across the U.S. Government stand with partners across the globe in expressing American values by responding to the global GBV pandemic.
See Secretary's Office on Global Women's Issues ( www.state.gov/s/gwi/ ) and President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief ( www.pepfar.gov ) .
Separate and unequal: Discovery looks at the color lines of HIV/AIDS
More than 30 years after the first case report of HIV, AIDS remains a significant problem in America. Despite tremendous advances in testing and treatment, not everyone has benefited equally. Discovery Channel takes an in-depth look at the color lines of HIV/AIDS in a world premiere documentary HIV/AIDS: America's Divide airing March 17 and 24, and also online at www.discoverychannelpatiented.com .
Every nine-and-a-half minutes someone in the U.S. is infected with HIV—and chances are that it will be someone of color. African Americans represent nearly half of all new cases of HIV, although they represent only 15% of the population.
SiriusXM OutQ and Greater Than AIDS host AIDS programs
SiriusXM OutQ, a 24/7 LGBT radio channel, and Greater Than AIDS, a national movement to respond to AIDS in America, has launched SpeakOUT: Real Talk about AIDS in Gay America, a limited-run series of live, call-in shows that will connect listeners across the country with medical experts, people living with HIV and notable members of the LGBT community to have an honest and challenging dialogue about the current state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the gay community as well as the country at large.
According to a 2011 national public opinion survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, 8 in 10 Americans say they heard little or nothing about HIV/AIDS in the last year and public concern about HIV/AIDS has fallen steadily over the years, including among those most heavily affected.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , one in five ( 19% ) gay and bisexual men in 21 major U.S. cities today are HIV-positive—and nearly half ( 44% ) of those who are infected don't know it.
See www.siriusxm.com/greaterthanaids .
