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NAACP Leaders Take HIV Test, Call For National Black AIDS Mobilization |
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From U.S. Newswire Releases: Newswire/ -- The African-American community is facing a state of emergency. This emergency stems from the epidemic known as HIV/AIDS. In February, the organization released The Way Forward, a national report on the State of AIDS in Black America. This sweeping analytical study penned under the guidance of the Black AIDS Institute looked at how a strange illness among five white gay patients at University of California Los Angeles became the defining issue of our time, and its disproportionate impact on African Americans. The report included critical recommendations for government officials, traditional Black institutions and individuals. On June 5, 2006, NAACP President and CEO, Bruce S. Gordon joined with other leaders, activists, and celebrities from the African American community in a national press conference sponsored by BET and the Black AIDS Institute to announce the launch of a national Black AIDS mobilization to re-ignite efforts around awareness, prevention, research, medical treatment and the pursuit of a cure and further solidify the Association's commitment to battling the disease. For the first time at the Annual NAACP convention, HIV testing, counseling and referral services will be available as a part of the NAACP Health Fair. NAACP chairman Julian Bond and Bruce Gordon, NAACP President and CEO will both take an HIV Test to raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing and counseling. The NAACP advocates a multi-layered approach to eradicate the epidemic that is desolating the African-American community and is committed to eliminating the disparities that exist in the contraction of HIV, access to treatment, and quality of care for racial and ethnic minorities.
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