Miami Herlad - Monday, August 6, 2001

No one knew then, or could guess, what course the disease would take. But few would have imagined that 20 years later apathy and denial would be disproportionate contributors to the spread of the disease and its claim on productive lives.

Researchers, doctors and scientists have made steady progress in developing treatments and medicines to fight this scourge. But more efforts like the recent AIDS summit in downtown Miami are needed to spread the word about prevention. The summit put a spotlight on HIV/AIDS and allowed key players, including politicians, doctors and community activists, to rededicate themselves to the battle.

But the most urgent need today is for nonprofessional entities -- families, churches, clubs, sororities, fraternities and activists -- to become more involved in getting the word out about education and prevention.

Recent studies show that in Florida HIV infections affect black and Hispanic communities disproportionately. Statewide, nearly six of every 10 new HIV infections affect blacks, although blacks are only 15 percent of the population. In Broward County, blacks account for 63 percent of new infections; and in Miami-Dade County, blacks make up 56 percent and Hispanics 30 percent of the new infections.

What makes these numbers startling and unacceptable is that education and effective prevention programs can significantly reduce the number of people who contract the infection. Literally, thousands of lives can be saved.

Those who work with the disease believe that the stigma of homosexuality, which was associated with AIDS when health officials first became aware of it 20 years ago, caused some communities and groups to shun those infected and avoid becoming involved. But that's a poor excuse today for apathy and denial. Much more is known about how the disease is contracted and spread; and many more of its victims are heterosexual men and women.

State health officials say they are increasing their outreach efforts to black and Hispanic communities, including using targeted advertising campaigns on radio, television, billboards and the Internet. This is good, but it isn't enough to reverse the pattern of the disease in afflicting minority communities.

At the AIDS summit, it was encouraging to see more religious and community groups participating than have been involved in the past.

They could be enormously effective in spreading preventive measures.

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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2001. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

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