AIDS Woes in 'Black America'

If African-Americans were collected together as a new nation, 'Black America' would have an AIDS problem on a par with many African nations, according to a report released by the Black AIDS Institute. Titled 'Left Behind: Black America'A Neglected Priority in the Global AIDS Epidemic,' the report shows 'Black America' would have the 16th-highest number of HIV-positive people in the world'600,000'more than even such hard-hit sub-Saharan African countries as Botswana, Namibia, and Rwanda. And yet, despite these alarming numbers, 'America has no strategic plan to combat its own epidemic,' says institute executive director Phill Wilson. The report calls for increased HIV antibody testing and prevention programs for African-Americans, urges black leaders to speak out on the issue, and calls on African-Americans to work to end AIDS stigma.