This is my first entry. I really would have hopped on the wagon sooner, but hey I suppose its always better late than never.
My biggest issue that I'm focusing on lately is the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Now usually when you hear this you automatically think of the epidemic in Africa. Yes, prior to a panel I was involved with earlier this week, I would immediately relate the words HIV/AIDS and EPIDEMIC with Africa.
I'm here to tell a lot of you that the issue is closer than you all may think.
Jamaica Queens has an incredibly high concentration of African American citizens infected with HIV. It is the MOST infected area in NYC, and if I am not mistaken the entire state of New York.
I honestly believe that a lot of it spreading has to do with misinformation, many people being uninformed, as well as not being able to have proper medical care.
Could it be that we as African Americans are once again being neglected?
It was demonstrated nationwide when Hurrican Katrina struck (another blog idea?), and this is just another issue that helps confirm that African Americans are put on the back burner in American society.
It sickens me to think that if HIV/AIDS were more commnon in a different race, that this would never have been as big of an issue as it is.
It begins with us being informed, tested, and practicing absistence altogether or practicing safe-sex, because it is obvious that as African Americans we are at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to our issues being PROPERLY acknowledged and addressed.
It is really time for this to stop. We have been in this country too long and have suffered too much to still be treated, to still be oppressed.
When does it stop?
What are your views?
What are YOU willing to do?
Have you been tested?
Signing off....be blessed guys!
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Thanks for the demographical info about Queens. I love getting that kind of info. I am a medical professional and I am always looking for interesting knews and looking for ways I can help. I for me want to, when I finish school, go to Asia, and put together a team that will travel from orphanage to orphanage to bring check-ups, vaccinations, medication and education to the orphanage staff on how to better care for the children. My inspiration for this was Doctor Paul Farmer and his work that practically erradicated tuberculosis in areas of Hati where the mortality rate before he came was almost 100%. Here is a like to the book that tells his story: http://www.amazon.com/Mountains-Beyond-Healing-World-Farmer/dp/037550616...
As for your comment, where you able to access the CDC (Center for Disease Control) Website (www.cdc.gov) for stateistical data to back up your claims? Well luckily for this cause I was.
In 2003 African American Males lead with 31.3% of the population, where as Caucasion, Native American, Asian, and Latino Males are all under 10% each.
in 2003 African Americsn Females where also the leaders at 12.8% of the population, where as the rest of the population is way un 5%.
I don't agree that just the African American population is being negleted. I believe and have seen that the neglet has been in all races and in all communities. I live in a middle class community and volunteer at a free clinic once a week and I see people of every race and creed. I also work in the secong largest city in New England and I see free care patients from all races. I think the problems lie in the HMOs and the Health Insurance in general. It's too expensive. Too few employers offer adequate coverage. So therefore people of all races are left underinsured or not insured.