The Mad Professah Lectures

The new executive director of the Black AIDS Institute has been named as Raniyah Copeland. The president and chief executive officer of BAI has been Phil Wilson since its founding in 1999. The BAI is the nation's first  and only "national HIV/AIDS think tank focused on Black communities." Copeland, 34, has worked at The Institute for the last ten years. Wilson announced his retirement last year and the board conducted an extensive 10-month process to find a new leader for the organization.

The announcement was made at BAI's signature event "Heroes in the Struggle" last Saturday December 1.

Today, February 7th,  is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.

Well, this is a surprise! Today the New York Times has a front page, above the fold (most prominent placement), story entitled "Poor Black and Hispanic Men Are the Face of H.I.V." by Donald G. McNeil Jr. The key point is that 25 percent of new infections are in men who are either Black or Latino.

Here's an excerpt:

Nationally, 25 percent of new infections are in black and Hispanic men, and in New York City it is 45 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the city’s health department. 

Nationally, when only men under 25 infected through gay sex are counted, 80 percent are black or Hispanic — even though they engage in less high-risk behavior than their white peers. 

The prospects for change look grim. Critics say little is being done to save this group, and none of it with any great urgency. 

“There wasn’t even an ad campaign aimed at young black men until last year — what’s that about?” said Krishna Stone, a spokeswoman for GMHC, which was founded in the 1980s as the Gay Men’s Health Crisis. 

Phill Wilson, president of the Black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles, said there were “no models out there right now for reaching these men.” 

[...] 

According to a major C.D.C.-led study, a male-male sex act for a young black American is eight times as likely to end in H.I.V. infection as it is for his white peers. 

That is true even though, on average, black youths in the study took fewer risks than their white peers: they had fewer partners, engaged in fewer acts of sex while drunk or high, and used condoms more often. 

They had other risk factors. Lacking health insurance, they were less likely to have seen doctors regularly and more likely to have syphilis, which creates a path for H.I.V. 

But the crucial factor was that more of their partners were older black men, who are much more likely to have untreated H.I.V. than older white men.

The fact that the HIV epidemic is becoming browner and younger has been known by HIV activists for quite awhile but it is useful that the mainstream media is starting to pay attention and send the message to the wider population.

I'm somewhat surprised that my friend Phill Wilson is quoted saying there are "no models" for reaching young Black and Latino men who have sex with men (MSM), when he runs the Black AIDS Institute which is a national organization focused on creating, studying and promulgating such models.

In Los Angeles, In The Meantime Men is an organization which focuses on HIV prevention in young Black men and Bienestar focuses on HIV prevention and treatment in the Latino community.

I think what Phill meant to say was that there are no widely adopted or generally accepted models for reaching the communities the article is focused on.

A new report from the Black AIDS Institute titled "Back of the Line: The State of AIDS among Black Gay Men in America 2012" documents the devastating impact that AIDS has had, and continues to have, on Black gay men in the United States.

From the Executive Summary:

Accounting for one in 500 people living in the U.S., Black MSM make up nearly one in four new HIV infections and one in six Americans living with HIV. Black MSM represent 9% of all MSM in the U.S., but account for 38% of new infections among MSM. In New York City, Black MSM are 325 times more likely to be diagnosed with HIV than heterosexual Black males. Nationally, HIV prevalence among Black MSM is roughly double the prevalence among white MSM. Although AIDS is a nationwide crisis for Black MSM, evidence indicates that the problem is especially severe in the South, where new cases are rising most rapidly. 

HIV represents a lifetime challenge for Black MSM. Among young men ages 13-24, Black MSM are 14 times more likely to test HIV-positive than white MSM. One in four Black MSM are already infected with HIV by the time they reach age 25. By age 40, 60% of Black MSM are living with HIV.

What's nice about the report that in addition to documenting the problem, it also provides suggestions for addressing the issue, calling for a series of recommendations:

1. Demonstrate leadership in the fight against AIDS for Black MSM
2. Achieve saturation HIV testing among Black MSM
3. Maximize the preventive and therapeutic benefits of antiretroviral therapy
4. Dramatically reduce STDs among Black MSM
5. Introduce pre-exposure prophylaxis
6. Effectively target Black MSM with high-impact prevention
7. Build sustainable community capacity
8. Develop new prevention tools for Black MSM
9. Implement a national plan to reduce the vulnerability of Black MSM

The report summarizes these recommendations into three priority steps that should be taken immediately:

Develop a national plan to end AIDS among Black MSM. As one of its highest priorities, Health and Human Services should immediately spearhead an inclusive process—involving relevant federal agencies (e.g., CDC, HRSA, CMS, Office of Minority Health, SAMHSA), Black MSM, Black and LGBT leaders, the philanthropic and private sectors, and state and local health departments—to develop a clear, results-driven national plan to end the epidemic among Black MSM

Exert genuine, sustained leadership in the fight against AIDS among Black MSM. Diverse non-governmental actors must recognize both that AIDS remains a severe and worsening crisis among Black MSM and that government alone cannot turn the tide against AIDS

Combat homophobia and other social challenges faced by Black MSM. Governmental and non-governmental actors must join together with Black MSM to address the root causes of Black MSM’s vulnerability to HIV and the factors that diminish health care access.

The 19th International AIDS Conference begins in Washington, D.C. on Sunday. Although President Obama will not be attending the event in person, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will. Let's hope she has something to say which addresses these issues. Additionally, the Obama Administration just recently announced that it is releasing $80 million in federal funds which will effectively eradicate all waiting lists on state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAP), allowing access to life-saving anti-retroviral medication to everyone in the United States who needs it.

Things are looking up...

Hat/tip to Rod 2.0

The above well-produced PSA in the "We > AIDS" campaign by the Black AIDS Institute has been popping up on television in the last few weeks.

BAI's Founder and Executive Director Phill Wilson will be on a special 1-hour segment of Anderson Cooper's AC360 on CNN Friday January14th at 9pm EST/PST called "Hope Survives: 30 Years of AIDS."

I ran into Phill Wilson who is the co-chair of President Obama's Advisory Commission on HIV/AIDS at Dulles Airport on Wednesday and now I find out what he was doing in town. The Obama Administration has added another $65m in FY 2010 money to fight HIV/AIDS.

The members of the President's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) were announced by Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius today:

Humberto Cruz; Director, AIDS Institute, New York State Department of Health; New York, NY. In his current position, Mr. Cruz provides oversight for the development, evaluation, and delivery of prevention programs; health care and support services; the establishment of clinical standards for care; education of health providers and the public, and guidance for regional and statewide planning. Mr. Cruz also serves as a member of the Executive Committee for the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD).

Ernest Darkoh, MD, MPH; Chairman, BroadReach Healthcare, LLC; Washington, DC. Dr. Darkoh is an internationally recognized expert in global health program management, strategic planning, health systems development and large scale treatment program implementation. Dr. Darkoh has served as an advisor to numerous governments, including Botswana, China, Ethiopia, and South Africa in the development of their public and private sector HIV/AIDS programs.

Kevin Frost, Chief Executive Officer, The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR); New York, NY. Mr. Frost joined the staff of amfAR in 1994; he has occupied his current position since 2007. Prior to joining amfAR, Mr. Frost worked as an inpatient care coordinator of the AIDS program at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. Mr. Frost’s efforts significantly contributed to development of TREAT Asia, a collaborative effort of 17 Asian countries that are increasingly and actively engaged in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and pertinent public education.

Patricia Garcia, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Northwestern University; Chicago, IL. Dr. Garcia is a specialist in maternal and fetal medicine. Her research interests include epidemiology of STD and HIV/AIDS and interventions in STD and HIV/AIDS.

Robert Greenwald, Managing Attorney, The WilmerHale Legal Services Center; Harvard Law School; Jamaica Plain, MA. Mr. Greenwald also directs the Health Law and Policy Clinic and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Law Clinic that are operated through the Legal Services Center (LSC). Started by Mr. Greenwald as the AIDS Law Clinic, the Health Law and Policy Clinic was the first law school-based legal services program serving low-income people living with HIV/AIDS.

Kathie Hiers, Chief Executive Officer, AIDS Alabama; Birmingham, AL. AIDS Alabama is a non-profit organization that provides housing and supportive services, as well as education, outreach, and testing to low-income persons with HIV/AIDS. Ms. Hiers has worked for more than 15 years to serve the HIV/AIDS populations through Alabama’s service organizations. Ms. Hiers is recognized as a leader of HIV advocacy efforts in Alabama.

David Holtgrave, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Health, Behavior and Society; Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Baltimore, MD. Dr. Holtgrave is an expert in HIV prevention who also brings extensive knowledge and expertise of HIV/AIDS issues that impact treatment and housing. Dr. Holtgrave was previously employed by the CDC as Director, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention - Intervention Research and Support. Dr. Holtgrave formerly served on an Institute of Medicine panel that examined a variety of strategies for the public sector funding of HIV care and treatment services in the United States.

Michael Horberg, MD, MAS, Director, HIV/AIDS; Kaiser Permanente; Oakland, CA. In his current position, Dr. Horberg serves as an HIV and infectious diseases specialist. He provides guidance and coordination for program-wide improvements in care, established common data collection and reporting methodologies, and development of an integrated research network.

Ejay Jack, Graduate Assistant, Multicultural Affairs; The University of Nebraska at Omaha; Omaha, NE. Mr. Jack has interest and experience working on international and domestic issues that impact HIV/AIDS and mental illness. His current work efforts focus on HIV and STD education and prevention within the transgender population and injection drug users.

Jack Jackson Jr., Principal, The Agassiz Group, LLC; Phoenix, AZ. Mr. Jackson has been involved with matters concerning the impact of HIV/AIDS on American Indians and Alaska Natives living in tribal and urban communities. Mr. Jackson previously served on the Board of the National Native American AIDS Prevention Center (NNAAPC) and also served as one of the organization’s public policy consultant. Mr. Jackson was appointed to serve as a member of PACHA during the Clinton administration.

Naina Khanna, Director of Policy and Community Organizing; Women Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Disease (WORLD); Oakland, CA. Ms. Khanna has responsibility for coordinating organizational policy and advocacy efforts at the local, state and national levels, with an emphasis on training and leadership development for women living with HIV. She also manages and directs the U.S. Positive Women’s Network (PWN), which has a national membership of HIV positive women who are working for a response to the US epidemic that meets women’s needs.

Jim Kim, M.D., Ph.D., President, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH. President Kim is a co-founder of Partners in Health (PIH) and a former director of the Department of HIV/AIDS at the World Health Organization (WHO). He has dedicated himself to health and social justice work for more than two decades, helping to provide medical treatment to underserved populations worldwide. Before assuming the Dartmouth presidency, President Kim held professorships at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health.

Anita McBride, former Assistant to President George W. Bush and Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush. Mrs. McBride directed the First Lady’s staff work on the wide variety of issues — including education, global literacy, youth development, women’s rights and health, historic preservation and conservation, the arts, and global health issues including efforts to end pandemic diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS. Mrs. McBride also served as a member of the U.S. delegations to the UN Commission on the Status of Women in 2002; the UN Commission on Human Rights in 2003; and the UN Special Session on HIV/AIDS in 2006. In January 2009, she was appointed by President George W. Bush to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

Douglas Michels, President, Chief Executive Officer, OraSure Technologies, Inc., Bethlehem, PA. Mr. Michels joined OraSure Technologies, Inc in June 2004, as President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Michels currently serves on the Board of St. Luke’s Hospital and Health Network in Bethlehem, Pa., and has previously served on the Board of the National Blood Foundation, the Board of the National Committee for Quality Health Care, and the Coalition to Protect America’s Health Care.

Rosie Pérez, Actor, choreographer, director. Appeared in her first major film Do the Right Thing (1989), which explored racial tensions in a varied community setting. She appeared on 21 Jump Street and was choreographer for the show In Living Color, which earned her three Emmy nominations. It was her dramatic turn in Fearless (1993) that earned her first Oscar nomination. Ms. Perez has been involved in HIV/AIDS advocacy work since 1991.

Mario J. Pérez, Director of the County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health, Office of AIDS Programs and Policy (OAPP). Mr. Perez is responsible for managing and guiding the annual investment of more than $80 million in local, state and federal resources that support a comprehensive local HIV/AIDS service delivery system. He is Commissioner on the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV and a former member of both the California HIV Planning Group and the Los Angeles County HIV Prevention Planning Committee. On numerous occasions over the last 15 years, he has testified before Members of Congress, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Los Angeles City Council to address a range of HIV/AIDS issues

Malika Saada Saar, M.Ed, JD, Founder, Executive Director, Rebecca Project. The Rebecca Project for Human Rights is a national legal and policy organization that advocates for justice, dignity, and reform for vulnerable families. Ms. Saada Saar is the founder of Crossing the River, a written and spoken word workshop for mothers in recovery from substance abuse.

Sandra Torres-Rivera, Executive Director, Bill’s Kitchen. Mrs. Torres-Rivera led the establishment in 1997 of the first nutritional program in Puerto Rico for persons with HIV/AIDS. She has been recognized as an exceptional leader in the area of HIV/AIDS and has an ample understanding of the area of nutritional and support services for persons living with HIV. For eight years she served as a key member of the Ryan White Part A Planning Council for the San Juan EMA.

Phil Wilson, Founder, Executive Director; The Black AIDS Institute. The Institute is a training and mobilization center focused exclusively on Black people. The Institute’s mission is to stop the AIDS pandemic in Black communities by engaging and mobilizing Black institutions and individuals in efforts to confront HIV. Prior to founding the Institute, Mr. Wilson served as the AIDS Coordinator for the City of Los Angeles from 1990 to 1993, The Director of Policy and Planning at AIDS Project Los Angeles from 1993 to 1996. Mr. Wilson was the coordinator of the International Community Treatment and Science Workshop at several International AIDS Conferences. He has been involved in the founding of a number of other AIDS service organizations and community-based organizations, including the Chris Brownlie Hospice, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the National Minority AIDS Council, the Los Angeles County Gay Men of Color Consortium, and the CAEAR Coalition.

Two local luminaries (Phill Wilson and Mario Perez) were named to this important body.

Reverend Al Sharpton spoke in place of Los Angeles County
Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, who was not present to
receive her Hero in the Struggle award.

The 2008 edition of Heroes in the Struggle was a very inspiring and pleasant event, held Thursday night in downtown Los Angeles, at the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Other Heroes in the Struggle named were: Julian Bond (Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NAACP), Danny Bakewell of the Bakewell Group (publishers of the Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper), Bishop T.D. Jakes, author and radio personality Tavis Smiley and influential African American journalist George E. Curry.