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Governor to Launch Campaign Against Spread of HIV/AIDS
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[SEPT. 15, 2005]
CHICAGO–
Governor Rod R. Blagojevich will announce a new initiative that aims
to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS. Tomorrow, Gov. Blagojevich will
launch the BASUAH (brothers and sisters unite against HIV/AIDS)
campaign, an aggressive outreach program specifically geared to
reach the African American community with HIV/AIDS education,
prevention and testing.
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In 2004, the number of reported AIDS cases declined
by four percent compared to the previous year. But, while AIDS cases
declined, the number of HIV cases grew. In 2004, a total of 2,662
persons reported HIV infection in Illinois, an increase of nearly 16
percent over the previous year. African Americans accounted for more
than half the reported cases with 1,406, although they represent
just 15 percent of the state’s population. Of the total reported HIV
cases among females in Illinois, 70 percent were African-American.
Nearly 72 percent of African American women and 64 percent of
African American men with HIV infection reported were under 40 years
of age.
The BASUAH Project is an aggressive outreach campaign to build on
the Governor’s long-standing effort to fight the spread of HIV/AIDS.
The Governor will be joined by Legislative Black Caucus, Yusuf Omar,
Consul General, South African Consulate; Dr. Eric E. Whitaker,
Illinois Director of Public Health and Prominent African American
Community Leaders at 11:00 a.m. at Northeastern University Center
for Inner-City Studies Auditorium, 700 E. Oakwood in Chicago.
[News release from the governor's office] |
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