"In the Black community, people still need to be made aware of the fact that HIV/AIDS is having a major negative impact on our community. African Americans are the fastest growing segment of the population who are testing positive for HIV. We are late in getting tested and, consequently, late in gaining access to care and treatment," says James Loyce Jr., executive director of the Black Coalition on AIDS (BCA). BCA is one of six organizations that make up the Southeast Partnership for Health.

"We've joined together to inform our neighbors and make sure that those who need help get the help that they need, whether it means a doctor, mental health counselor or, in some cases, grocery money," says Charlotte Smith, director of the Southeast Partnership for Health.

"While there's still no cure for AIDS, people are now able to live longer and healthier lives," states Jacob K. Moody, executive director of the Bayview Hunters Point Foundation for Community Improvement, another member of the partnership. "But, in order for that to happen, you have to be under the care of a physician.

"Through our collaborative partners, we're able to provide care coordinators. We also provide private physicians for members of the community who don't have one or don't have insurance to cover the costs of a private doctor."

Figures released by the Centers for Disease Control highlight the need for expanded services in the Black community. In 2005, Blacks accounted for 50 percent of all new HIV cases reported in the United States, though they are only 13 percent of the total population.

In 2005, African American women accounted for two thirds of new AIDS cases among women. White women accounted for 16 percent and Latinas 16 percent. Seventy-four percent of African American women contract AIDS through heterosexual sex.

Through the organizations of the Southeast Partnership for Health, community members have access to counseling, HIV testing, legal services, medical services, mental health services, nutrition services, substance use services and support groups, not only for HIV/AIDS but also for other diseases which disproportionately impact Blacks, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.

Lack of awareness about one's HIV status is risky for Black men and women. Those who are HIV positive but don't know it won't be able to receive life saving care and therapies and won't be able to protect their sexual partners from being infected with HIV.

The members of the partnership are Bayview Hunters Point Foundation for Community Improvement, Black Coalition on AIDS, Maxine Hall Health Center, 360: The Positive Care Center at UCSF, Southeast Health Center, and Westside Community Services. The partnership is underwritten by a grant from the San Francisco Department of Public Health.

The toll free number for information and to sign up for services is 1 (800) 311-5051.
For more information about the Southeast Partnership for Health Center of Excellence or to set up an interview with any of the collaboration's directors, contact Adrian Tyler at the Black Coalition on AIDS at (415) 615-9945, extension 107, or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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