Press Release

February 2, 2005
Eileen Shields, Public Information Officer, 415/554-2507

San Francisco Joins Nationwide Response to Aids Crisis Among African Americans

San Francisco, CA – San Francisco is one of more than 60 cities across the U.S. that will observe the 5th annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness & Information Day (NBHAAD). A coalition of San Francisco organizations, including the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s HIV Research Section, the Black Brothers Esteem Program of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, have come together to create an event that will encourage African Americans in San Francisco to get educated, get tested, and get involved with HIV/AIDS as it continues to devastate Black communities.

The observance will take place on February 7th, 1-4 p.m. in the San Francisco Public Library’s Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin St. The public is invited to come for an overview of the epidemic in San Francisco’s African-American population from Jimmy Loyce, Deputy Director of Health, Director of AIDS Programs Director of the AIDS Office, descriptions of some of the innovative HIV prevention work that is happening in the city, and a health fair featuring major providers of prevention and health services.

“Seventy-two African Americans are infected with HIV in the U.S. every day,” said AIDS Office Director Loyce. “Here in San Francisco 12% of people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS are Black, despite making up only 7% of the population. The time has come for us to act.”

The San Francisco NBHAAD event is designed to call attention to HIV in the African American community and to seek solutions to halt the epidemic. Community members are invited to attend to learn more about San Francisco’s epidemic and the services that are available here.

The event will begin with Loyce’s address at 1 p.m. in the Koret Auditorium, followed by the health fair in the Latino/Hispanic community rooms on the lower level. Lunch will be served.

For more information, contact Gavin Morrow-Hall, Community Educator in the HIV Research Section, 415/437-4696.