The San Francisco Chronicle - Thursday, September 17, 1999
Julie N. Lynem, Chronicle Staff Writer

More than a dozen pastors and local officials will meet in San Mateo today for the first time to discuss the role African American ministers should play in educating their congregations about AIDS.

"I think we in the spiritual community need to be a little more assertive in this area," said the Rev. Mary Frazier, whose son, Eric Walker, died of AIDS six years ago. "We can be more proactive. We can move forward."

Frazier said she is not afraid to talk about HIV and AIDS with members of her East Palo Alto congregation at Sunday morning services. Outside of church, she delivers a prevention message to residents, participates in marches and offers education whenever she can.

But for years, Frazier said, many African American ministers in San Mateo County have been reluctant to jump to the forefront of the HIV/ AIDS battle. Lack of information, fear, denial and a stigma surrounding the disease have often prevented spiritual leaders from speaking up in their pulpits.

Although there are many treatment and prevention options available in communities throughout the county, African Americans continue to be disproportionately affected by the disease.

According to John Conley, deputy director of public health, the AIDS case rate for African Americans in San Mateo County remains almost five times the case rate for whites. Although African Americans make up about 5 percent of the county's population, they account for 299 of the county's 1,757 AIDS cases, according to the Department of Health's most recent figures.

Phelicia Jones, a social worker and founder of the Nia Mentoring Project, said the numbers are proof that the HIV/AIDS prevention message is not getting out to the African American community. Her organization, along with Hope Preservation Inc., is sponsoring today's forum for ministers and local leaders, called "While We're Chillin' AIDS Is Killing."

While she supports the work of such organizations as the San Mateo County AIDS program, she believes that the black church has an obligation to reach those who are slipping through the cracks.

Many African Americans, she said, have bought into the notion that the disease affects only white people, drug abusers and gay men. Now, people are just starting to realize that no one is immune.

"There's a lack of programming in our communities," Jones said. "There are disparities in funding and lack of culturally appropriate and sensitive programs. What we want to do is close the gaps. This is a time to work together and get the information out."

Dr. Scott Morrow, San Mateo County's health officer, said he is pleased to see local churches starting to stand together in the fight against HIV/AIDS. For years, he said, faith communities have been less involved in dealing with the epidemic of AIDS.

"They have not felt that the whole domain of health and risk behaviors is what they should be doing," Morrow said. "But today, there are lots of efforts going on that are trying to reconnect these communities with health issues across the country. They're realizing that health-care needs can be delivered at the community level."

That is the same message Frazier tries to preach every day. It is also the message her son delivered until he died at the age of 38, she said.

"We need to talk about living, not dying," she said. "We need to be aware and involved. I hope that this will not be the end, but the beginning of doing a service that's much needed."
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