Posts
HIV awareness was a prominent feature of First Ladies Health Day, which more than two-dozen predominantly black Chicago churches celebrated on Sunday. The congregations, with a combined membership of about 35,000, participated as a way to remove the stigma associated with screening for the virus. "We wanted to increase the awareness in other communities and in other churches," said Jamell Meeks, wife of the Rev. James Meeks and chair of the First Ladies Luncheon. At a luncheon meeting last summer, about 100 wives of Chicagoland black church pastors, as well as a few female ministers, conceived Sunday's awareness day.
About 75 percent of the participating churches included HIV testing for the first time ever in their health day activities, Meeks said. Blood pressure and diabetes screenings also were offered.
Tracey Alston, a spokesperson for the health promotion, said several people who tested learned they are HIV-positive.
Mirroring a trend seen across the nation, African Americans in Chicago are affected by HIV at far higher rates than other racial groups. Blacks represent 37 percent of the city's population but 56 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS, according to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.
After worship services at Southlawn United Methodist Church in Avalon Park, about 40 people took advantage of the testing opportunity. Among them was a 32-year-old man who said he had just gotten out of a relationship. He said he is not promiscuous and uses condoms but, "You can never be too sure."
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
