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With the high number of AIDS/HIV incidences in the Washington, D.C. metroplex, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity responds with a recent HIV/AIDS education session at the Covenant House in Washington, D.C.
On June 17th, nearly 50 at-risk young adults ages 18-24 gathered for a round table discussion regarding the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Washington, D.C. Almost half of those in attendance were tested. The round table discussion panelists included Ms. Ophelia Howard, the Project Coordinator for the Conversation Among Brothers Series, an AIDS/HIV education initiative of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.; Brother Charles Young, a member of Zeta Sigma Chapter; and Mr. Pernell Williams with the Whitman Walker Clinic.
During the forum, the panelists discussed with the young adults myths about HIV/AIDS, stigmas about the disease, ways to prevent becoming infected with the disease and the available treatment for those who have been diagnosed with the disease.
Realizing that there are more than 1 million people in the United States living with HIV and that each year more than 14,000 people die of AIDS, educating people about AIDS and HIV is critical.
According to CDC data released last year, although African Americans represent about 12% of the population, they account for nearly half of all people living with HIV/AIDS (46%) and new infections (45%). Approximately one in 16 black men will be diagnosed with HIV over their lifetime, as will one in 30 black women.
According to the 2008 Epidemiology Report released by the Washington, D.C. HIV/AIDS office, at least 3 percent of Washington, D.C residents have HIV or AIDS, a total that far surpasses the 1 percent threshold that constitutes a "generalized and severe" epidemic. That translates into 2,984 residents per every 100,000 over the age of 12 -- or 15,120.
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