This presentation will discuss the development and implementation of a Minority AIDS Summit in a metropolitan area with AIDS cases among minorities increasing at a disproportionate rate when compared to the percentage of the total population. Within an urban area, the incidence of AIDS among African Americans and Latinos has increased dramatically over recent years. This trend became more significant in 1998 when the percentage of AIDS cases diagnosed among minorities was 57%, with the majority of cases among African Americans and Latinos. Yet, African Americans and Latinos comprise less than 37% of the population. In response to the increase of AIDS diagnoses among minorities, a local health department and the city's comprehensive HIV planning group initiated a Minority AIDS Summit. The summit was not merely to discuss the crisis but to develop an action plan to increase awareness and reduce HIV/AIDS among minorities in the community. Objectives of the Minority AIDS Summit included: 1) gathering minority community members, policy makers, professionals, faith leaders, and other community leaders to discuss the increase in AIDS diagnoses among minorities in the community; 2) identifying and developing methods to reduce HIV infection among minorities; and, 3) developing a strategic plan for the implementation of the identified methods.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Community Planning, HIV/AIDS
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.