February 7, 2008 marks the eighth annual observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). This observance was created to educate African Americans about HIV/AIDS and its devastating effects on communities across the United States.

Over the last decade, African Americans and communities of color have come to bear the greatest burden of the AIDS epidemic in the US. While African Americans represent approximately 13% of the population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that they account for over half of all new cases of HIV/AIDS. AIDS is now the leading cause of death for African American women ages 25 to 34 and second leading cause of death for African American men ages 35 to 44. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, HIV/AIDS is one of the top 10 leading causes of death for all African Americans. In the US, 72 African Americans are infected with HIV every day.

The AIDS Council of Northeastern New York joins as a part of a national mobilization effort to raise awareness about the threat posed by HIV/AIDS, encourage HIV testing and commit to fight the disease. More than 800 cities across the country will sponsor programs on February 7th. In the Capital Region, the AIDS Council will be hosting free and confidential HIV and STD testing at several community locations including 927 Broadway from 9:30AM-4:00PM, 245 Lark from 6:00PM-8:00PM and Waterworks Pub from 11:00PM-3:00AM. No appointment is needed for testing. The Council encourages citizens to get educated, get tested, get treated and get involved with HIV/AIDS as it continues to impact the Capital Region and New York State. HIV is 100% preventable and many do not know the test only takes about 20 minutes to get a result and involves no needles or blood. For additional testing dates, times and locations, call 518-HIV TEST.

The AIDS Council is committed to helping communities of color with its Given the Chance (GTC) initiative. This program launched last year is designed to address HIV, hepatitis and substance abuse prevention needs in the Capital Region among communities of color. GTC tackles one of the hardest hit populations by offering a multi-pronged approach including transitional case management, HIV counseling, enhanced peer outreach, free testing and risk reduction education. The Council also works on changing the behaviors of urban adolescents to reduce their risk of contracting HIV and other STDs. In the Capital Region, over 50% of newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases are in people of color. As the AIDS Council increases access to testing in communities with limited access to health care, this number could be even higher.

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released results of a survey that showed nearly one-fifth of NYC adults are at increased risk for HIV infection because of multiple sex partners or drug use. Among those identified with multiple sex partners, 60% do not use condoms all the time. More alarming is the fact that the survey found that 92% of this at-risk population does not believe they are at risk. The findings underscore the importance of prevention education and HIV testing.

The report is one of the first to use a citywide survey of blood samples to estimate HIV prevalence. The results support previous studies that show approximately 1.4% of New York City adults are infected with HIV. It also found disproportionately high numbers among men who have sex with men (MSM) (38 times the citywide average) and the Black and Hispanic populations (3.3% and 1.3% compared to .6% of Caucasians). Because of needle exchange programs and increased access to clean needles, HIV infection due to needle injection has decreased in the city, but the report showed the disease is still common among drug users (21% positive).

“Far too many people are in danger of contracting HIV through risky behavior,” said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, Health Commissioner for New York City. “Reducing the number of sex partners you have and protecting yourself and your partners by consistently using condoms will help you stay safe. We should all know our HIV status, regardless of whether we think we’re at risk – and health care providers should offer this test to their patients.”

In the Capital Region, the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York provides free confidential HIV testing at a variety of locations including walk-in testing Monday-Friday 9:30am-4:00pm at our main office at 927 Broadway in downtown Albany. Check our website, www.aidscouncil.org, for additional testing sites and times.

DHMH Press Release, 1/10

According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of people living with HIV/ AIDS over 50 years of age has increased 77% from 2001 to 2005 (from 64,000 to 116,000). The New York Times reports that this age group now represents more than a quarter of all cases in the United States. Clearly, advances in medical treatment have allowed HIV/AIDS patients to live longer, but at what cost? With the longevity has come a range of unexpected serious medical conditions that can be worse than the disease itself.

The Times examined the “graying of the AIDS epidemic” and its link to many premature health problems including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis and depression. Twenty-five years ago, AIDS meant a speedy death sentence. Today, patients are living longer thanks to a variety of drug treatments and a continuum of support services. Medical professionals are now encountering a disproportionate number of ailments among the first wave of AIDS survivors to live past age 50. Although the first results are not conclusive, experts are coming to believe that the immune system and internal organs may be severely impacted before the patient starts the drug regime and those drugs then produce additional complications, according to the Times.

The research on AIDS and aging has barely begun. Most older people are excluded from drug trials and there is little information on long-term side effects of the drugs. Those who think HIV/AIDS is a disease manageable by taking a few pills are sorely mistaken.

(Gross, New York Times, 1/6)

In New York City, the overall numbers of new HIV infections and AIDS related deaths among men who have sex with men (MSM) has declined since 2001. However, the New York Times reports that during the same period, new cases of HIV have been rapidly increasing among MSM under age 30. This trend points to a disturbing pattern of HIV in youth that is likely to impact New York and the United States for years to come.

According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, between 2001 and 2006 the number of annual new HIV diagnoses increased by 34% among Black and Hispanic MSM and increased by 32% among all MSM younger than age 30. New HIV diagnoses among MSM older than age 30 decreased by 22% during the same time period, according to the Times. Some experts have said the HIV numbers could be even higher because 25% of people living with HIV do not know they have the virus. Further, health officials have express concern about the increased number of patients who receive diagnoses of both HIV and AIDS at the same time, signaling a trend of not getting tested until the disease has progressed.

The Times report points to several factors for the increases in HIV in youth, particularly among young gay men. One of the significant factors appears to be the growing stigma about HIV that keeps people from getting tested, asking about HIV status before engaging in sexual activity and telling partners about their status because of shame or embarrassment. There also appears to be increased rates of drug use that can lead to risky sexual behavior. Because of increase in drug advertisements highlighting the successful management of HIV disease and decreased media attention on AIDS related deaths in the United States, many youth feel a sense of optimism that HIV/AIDS is easily treated. While HIV has decreased among some segments of the population, AIDS researchers say overall rates in the U.S. have not declined in the past 10 years.

(Kershaw, New York Times, 1/2)