AEGiS-SFE: The 3-minute interview: Bertha Greene

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

The 3-minute interview: Bertha Greene

San Francisco Examiner - August 14, 2008
Sara Michael

BALTIMORE - The Rev. Bertha Greene is pastor and organizer of Sacred Zion Full Gospel Baptist Church in Baltimore and board chair of Project Arise, a faith-based HIV prevention program funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, spoke to The Examiner about the faith community's role in prevention.

Describe the services you offer people who are HIV-positive.

We are able to offer them hope and we help them understand that they are not alone, and there is someone else who cares about them. That component is essential to helping people live with and accept the fact that they are HIV-positive.

Is that unique to faith-based programs? Most people who provide services really know the importance of offering hope, [but] we offer that along with some spiritual counseling and guidance.

Are people being more open about talking about HIV and AIDS?

It's opening up more, but it has taken awhile for people to open up to it. There still tends to be a stigma, but more and more people are realizing that regardless of how a person might have gotten the disease, they are human and need to be treated and loved and cared for. Many people are still of the opinion that they will not be affected or infected with or by HIV/AIDS, but our message is AIDS does not discriminate. People of all ages can be infected or affected.

What will it take to see fewer new infections?

Continued education, and for people to adhere to what they are being taught. Another key point is testing. So many people don't realize they are infected.

080814
SE080805

Copyright © 2008 - San Francisco Examiner. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the San Francisco Examiner, Permissions Desk, 110 Fifth Street, P.O. Box 7260, San Franciso, CA 94120.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation UK, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2008. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2008. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .