Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2001. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
San Francisco Chronicle - Saturday, June 9, 2001
Christopher Heredia, Chronicle Staff Writer
Dellums called AIDS "the greatest threat to the human family," requiring a response from all sectors of society -- from government officials to scientists, activists, educators and businesspeople.
"We must gather the best, the brightest, marshal every resource to find a cure," Dellums said, speaking at 15th annual East Bay AIDS Conference at Mills College. "We all know the science is difficult, but that should not preclude us from proceeding."
With the 20th anniversary of the first report of AIDS having been observed on Tuesday, Dellums also said society must address a variety of needs throughout the world: building roads to hospitals and clinics, providing trained staff and people to care for orphaned children, making sure that people have access to clean water, and supporting women's equality in relationships.
"HIV/AIDS," Dellums said, "is not racist, sexist or xenophobic. It has no respect for class, cultural or religious borders or boundaries. It's an equal opportunity destroyer."
Dellums retired from Congress in 1998 after nearly three decades as a representative. He is now president of Healthcare International, a black-owned company dedicated to establishing private medical care systems in Africa.
Yesterday, he criticized President Bush's plans to beef up high-tech weapons programs while committing only $200 million to a global fund to fight AIDS in Africa.
"Spend $60 billion to put in a missile defense system, but (don't put money) into treating people with AIDS, and I'm going to be your adversary," Dellums said.
AIDS has claimed nearly 22 million lives, Dellums said, including 450,000 in the United States. In sub-Saharan Africa, 25 million are infected with HIV, and more than 10 million African children have been orphaned by AIDS.
Nationally, African Americans account for half of all new HIV infections, even though they are only 12 percent of the general population. Latinos account for 19 percent of all new HIV infections, although they are 11 percent of the population.
In a related development yesterday, a group of clergy and officials from the state Department of Health Services released a pastor's guidebook for dealing with HIV/ AIDS in their congregations.
"It's about treating people with AIDS with respect," said the Rev. Yvette Flunder of the City of Refuge Church in San Francisco. "We're saying to the black churches we need to talk about this. Our community is disproportionately affected."
The pastor's guidebook can be viewed by clicking "Resources" on the Multicultural AIDS Resource Center of California's Web site, www.marcconline. org.
E-mail Christopher Heredia at cheredia@sfchronicle.com.
010609
SC010620
Copyright © 2001 - San Francisco Chronicle Press. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the San Francisco Chronicle, Permissions Desk, 901 Mission Street, San Franciso, CA 94103. You may also send a fax to (415) 495-3843, or an email message to chronperm@sfgate.com. http://www.sfgate.com.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Roche and Trimeris, and donations from users like you. 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.
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, 2001. 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. .