How Do You Lead With Race
When You’re Talking About the Science of HIV? BY DANIELLE HOUSTON · MARCH 26, 2015
Scientists agree that race is a social construct,
not a biological division.
Black, Latino, White, Asian, Native American or otherwise, we are all human. And yet we see huge health disparities among racial and ethnic groups. These differences affect how frequently a disease affects a group, how many people get sick, or how often the disease causes death.
In HIV, we so frequently discuss the disproportionate number of infections and fatalities in Black and Latino communities, that it’s possible we’ve lost sight of the fact that HIV is not more virulent or infectious in people of color. These inequities are the outcomes of the complex relationship between individual behavior, social networks, health and health services, socioeconomic status, the physical environment, discrimination, sexual orientation, racism, literacy levels, and legislative policies. These factors, which influence an individual’s or population’s health, are known as social determinants of health.
NMAC, like other local and national organizations is changing.
Guided by a rigorous strategic planning process our mission, vision, and goals have changed and all our divisions are aligning their programs accordingly. The Treatment Division developed new initiatives, such as PrEPare For Life, to forward NMAC’s 2020 goals and strategic directions.
In the grand scheme of Treatment’s programming, we are investing in health equity through the expansion of our health literacy agenda and an acute focus on access and engagement activities in communities of color. We promote the idea that good health and quality healthcare are a right, not a privilege. We will continue to support a scientific agenda buttressed by research, data, and smart policies.
The Treatment Division goes where the virus is,
therefore our resources and programs continue to target service providers that directly work with gay and bisexual men and transgender women of color in the South and major metropolitan areas. A coverage map of Treatment Programs in the U.S.can be found here. For inquiries about out programs and upcoming trainings, please contact us directly at TEAM@nmac.org.
TODAY, the HIV movement needs action.
TODAY, the role of community-based organizations has expanded to include connecting constituents to the clinical care systems they need to remain healthy.
TODAY, we must embrace the fact that HIV prevention and treatment are linked.
TODAY, we must mobilize our communities around health literacy and wellness.
By updating, expanding, and strengthening health literacy and wellness opportunities in the communities most impacted by HIV, we can make great strides towards improving lives today and ending the epidemic tomorrow.
Yours in the struggle, Danielle Houston Senior Program Manager NMAC
USCA Abstract Deadline April 3
Are You Doing Some Interesting Research that you would like to share with us and the rest of our community?There's 1 Week Left to Submit Abstracts for USCA – Deadline April 3, 2015. Presenting at USCA is a great way to share best practices and cutting-edge research on a variety of topics – housing, treatment, linkage and retention programs, prevention and more. We’re specifically interested in submissions that address racial health equity and this year’s target population - Blacks/African Americans. For abstract guidelines and online submission, click here.
What's Most Important to You? In order to be more responsive to the current needs of USCA attendees, we need to hear which topics are most important to you. Workshops and seminars will be created based on topics that receive multiple recommendations through our survey. Click hereto submit your recommendations.
1931 13th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 483 - 6622
www.nmac.org
ABOUT NMAC NMAC will educate, advocate, collaborate and compel – with urgency – for health equity within communities of color in our tireless quest to end the HIV epidemic.
