World AIDS Day 2009
World AIDS Day
December 1st , 2009
A message from :
AIDS Ambassador, Dr. Dale Anthony Edmonston
“At a time such as this”
I believe in the United States of America and the dream of Freedom that my ancestors once held. Yes freedom from the sociocultural bondage of unequal access to well-being on every front. Almost three decades into the global AIDS epidemic, gender inequality and women’s low socio-economic status remain two principal drivers of infection. Yet, current HIV/AIDS responses fail, as a whole, to tackle the social, cultural, and economic factors that not only increase women’s risk for HIV, but also unduly burden them with the epidemic’s consequences.
At a time when much of the country is congratulating itself on the progress it has made in fighting HIV/AIDS, and when very real progress has been made in keeping PLWHAs alive for near normal lifespans, more women of color contracting HIV infections, are learning of HIV infection at the same time they are diagnosed with AIDS, and are thus living lives shortened and ravaged by this disease, and dying before they can raise their children. Clearly, whatever success has been achieved in limiting HIV transmission it has not translated, either nationally or locally, into interventions that narrow the gap between Blacks and Latino/as and other racial/ethnic groups. The primary reason is that most existing interventions address individual-level behavior change, or seek to influence community norms to support individual behavior change, without actually taking on the structural barriers required to create and implement interventions required by socially, economically and racially oppressed communities (Wheeler, 2009).
Unlike never before we have a unique opportunity to join with President Barack Obama and let our voices be made known in support of the healthcare reform bill. The Healthcare reform bill promises to implement a national AIDS strategy that will eliminate waiting lists for federally funded AIDS drug assistance (ADAP) and provide quality healthcare and services for all who are in need of such care. I am encouraged by Long Island Congressional Members Carolyn McCarthy, Tim Bishop, Peter King and Steve Israel’s recent vote to support the heathcare reform bill. Yet even with top-notch coverage, Congresswoman McCarthy said in a recent interview she had to cope with limiting factors which exist in the current system which prevented her from receiving care stating she hopes that Congress can cure it. Unfortunately she had to be denied being before seeing the realities of what people go through everyday.
I sense a spirit of hope and compassion in the atmosphere and pray for a swift passage of the healthcare reform bill. But until then the time is now to embrace the concept of each one teach one…. together we can stop the spread of AIDS. Many around the globe serve untirelessly to STOP the spread of AIDS; On the local level I want to acknowledge the dedication of everyone who provides excellent care to PLWA’S. In particular those who serve the Village of Hempstead, a community that has the highest incidence of AIDS per capita of any surburb in the Country; A special shout out to The Center For Rapid Recovery headed by Evangelist Renee Charles, staff at the Dale House Community Resource Center and Tough Talk Media, medical providers such as Dr. Janice Verley, Chief of Infectious Disease at Nassau University Medical Center, community activist Reverend Dr. Sedwick Easley Chair of the Long Island National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS & Pastor of Union Baptist Church; Reverend Kent Edmonston of Mount Olive Baptist Church, New York. Bishop Frank 0. White of Zion Cathedral COGIC, Minister Franklin Hobbs of Healing Our Land Ministries,Boston Mass. and Reverend Dwight Steele of Pilgrim Baptist Church,VA and public officials such as Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby and legislators who have joined forces with local AIDS service providers.
I believe there is a God and a heaven where everythings is made out of gold and everythig there is ok .I look forward to someday going there.
But until then we are our brother and sisters keepers its is time to roll up our sleeves and
assure the best quality of life is available, the stigma is put to rest and to support social activities and encourage those living with AIDS .
Take the challenge each one teach one, do it now and get behind call your local and State representatives to support the President and assure the best quality of life is available at home and abroad.
I sense a spirit of compassion and hope, at a time such as this.
God Bless you and God Bless America
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Posted on Tuesday, November 17, 2009
