Does anyone even care that Latinos represented 17% of the U.S. population but account for 24% of all new HIV diagnoses? That Blacks make up only 12% of the U.S. population, and they account for 44% of all new HIV infections among adults and adolescents, and Blacks comprise 61% of all HIV/AIDS cases among women? If we are aware of the stats that are looming in our communities then tell me why we are not getting tested more? Talking about it more? Yes, it is in the White communities also even if no one is talking about it.
Machismo and religion are very strong in the Latino community. Conversations within families about sex are almost always around heteronormative sex, and often parents aren't talking about sex from a health perspective. Most Black families are not even discussing it in their homes let alone at the dinner table! You ask me about the Black Church? Again, we can do better as a community and much better as a church family and discuss from the Pulpit the ills that are affecting our communities.
HIV/AIDS is most certainly a concern. 1 out of 5 do not know their status, and every 9 1/2 minutes someone in the United States is infected. What I find in my town... they just simply told me in so many words – we don't want to hear about HIV/AIDS... because it is not here!
So, when their children and their children’s children start running to the clinic or their doctor and need to get tested. Will you care then?
