HIV/AIDS/STD prevention demonstration projects for HBCUs and other minority serving institutions

Below is an excerpt from an article written by Naima Morales Cozier, AIDS.gov Training Adviser

The cultural diversity of communities of color is to be celebrated. We have overcome adversity and barriers at every turn with the hope of change. With this same determination, we face the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Communities of color disproportionately account for an alarming number of HIV/AIDS cases. As an Afro-Latina, HIV/AIDS prevention advocate, and public health professional, I am very familiar with our challenge. The statistics and numbers constantly run through my head: African Americans account for almost half the number of people living with HIV; Latino/Hispanics account for 17% of new HIV infections in the U.S. in 2006; rates for new infection among Native American/Alaskan Natives are higher than whites, though American Indians and Alaska Natives make up 1.5% of the total U.S. population. There is much work to be done.

Minority-serving Institutions (MSIs) of Higher Education (e.g. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities) have a vital role in the response to HIV/AIDS since persons of color between the ages of 13-24 are one of the groups most affected by the epidemic…

Read the full article on the aids.gov blog by CLICKING HERE.