Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1999. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - November 23, 1999
"BlackFamilies.com is committed to addressing issues that adversely impact African Americans and their families nationwide," said John Pembroke, brand manager for BlackFamilies.com. "With the disproportionate rate of African Americans infected with the AIDS virus, we felt it necessary to boldly join the fight using our resources to educate the community on this important health issue."
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate this epidemic is the leading cause of death among African American men, ages 25-44 and the second leading cause of death among African American women in the same age group.
"This satellite conference offers us a unique opportunity to join forces in our efforts to combat HIV/AIDS," said U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher. "The African American community is harder hit by this deadly but treatable disease than any other segment of the U.S. population, and we must pledge to step up our efforts to educate, motivate, and mobilize our community in the fight against this disease."
About the Surgeon General's Satellite Conference
* What: The Surgeon General's African American Community HIV/AIDS Satellite Conference is a one-day event coordinated by The Leadership Campaign on AIDS which will provide participants an opportunity to hear, see and interact with national leaders as they discuss prevention, care and adherence issues that are relevant to African Americans. The satellite conference originates in Atlanta, Ga. at the Morehouse School of Medicine on November 30, 1999 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. EST., and reaches five other key cities through a partnership with four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and African American AIDS service organizations.
* Where/Host Sites: Morehouse School of Medicine - Atlanta, Ga.; Nashville, Tn. -- Meharry College; Tuskegee, Al. -- Tuskegee Bio-Ethics Institute; Washington, D.C. -- Howard University; and Los Angeles, Ca. -- Drew University.
* Agenda: The Surgeon General will kickoff the conference with a brief message that explains the goals and initiatives of the event. Federal health representatives at each host site will provide insight and information. Individuals living with HIV/AIDS will deliver personal testimonies.
* How to Participate: Everyone can access the free, live Web cast on http://www.BlackFamilies.com . Also, the Web cast will be accessible on BlackFamilies.com for 90 days after the event. Detailed instructions for viewing the web cast will be posted on the site. Visit BlackFamilies.com and/or http://www.surgeongeneral.com for more information on the conference.
An Online Leader for African-American HIV/AIDS Patients and Families
With the recent launch of its Health channel, BlackFamilies.com is committed to educating the African American community about HIV/AIDS. Perhaps the biggest step is the establishment of its online AIDS Resource Center, launching Nov. 30 with the conference and on the eve of World AIDS Day. The resource center will feature HIV/AIDS specific discussion boards and more.
* Virtual Tribute
To commemorate the struggles of AIDS patients and their families, BlackFamilies.com will feature an online "quilt" made of letters, testimonies and photos that capture the experiences of those touched by the epidemic. The quilt will make its initial appearance during the satellite conference. Submissions can be forwarded via email to feedback@blackfamilies.com. The quilt will remain a permanent tribute on BlackFamilies.com.
* Always on BlackFamilies.com
Additional channels on BlackFamilies.com such as Parenting, Family Relationships, Finance, and its community area - People-to-People will host daily content as it relates to HIV/AIDS. Safe sex, strategies for families touched by AIDS, and the financial costs associated with caring for HIV/AIDS patients will be addressed. For more on the Surgeon General's African American Community HIV/AIDS Satellite Conference or World AIDS Day, log on to BlackFamilies.com.
BlackFamilies.com is a product of Cox Interactive Media. Cox Interactive Media is the nation's largest provider of local content sites on the Internet. Cox Interactive Media (http://www.cimedia.com ) was founded in 1996 with the mission of building a network of city sites with local focus that appeals to both residents and advertisers in each of the markets that it serves. This Internet company is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Inc., and is headquartered in Atlanta. The Cox Interactive Media network consists of 57 Internet sites across the country including two specialty sites, BlackFamilies.com, and GreatOutdoors.com. A leading media company, Cox Enterprises includes Cox Newspapers, Inc. (newspapers, direct mail marketing, book publishing), Cox Broadcasting, Inc. (TV, spot sales, television production, research, publicly-traded Cox Radio, Inc.) and publicly traded Cox Communications, Inc. (cable distribution, programming, broadband communications) in addition to Cox Interactive Media. The company is also the world's largest operator of automobile auctions through Manheim Auctions, providing financial services, government auctions, online services and price guides.
SOURCE BlackFamilies.com
CONTACT: Nichole Taylor of Ketchum, 404-877-1864, or nichole.taylor@ketchum.com , for BlackFamilies.com, or John M. Pembroke of BlackFamilies.com, 404-572-1897, or john@blackfamilies.com /
Web Site: http://www.surgeongeneral.com /
Web Site: http://www.BlackFamilies.com /
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Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1999. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
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