Stemming the Tide of Infection

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Event Raises Awareness About HIV-AIDS Preventionby Zoe SullivanSpecial to the NNPA from The Louisiana Weekly

In 2008, New Orleans had the third-highest rate of new HIV diagnoses of any city in the nation, according to the Center for Disease Control. Baton Rouge had the second-highest rate, and Miami topped the list. This shocking statistic becomes worse when one looks at how the infection is affecting women of color. According to HIV411.org, 75 percent of the new cases of HIV diagnosed in Louisiana were among African-Americans.

More than one-third of all new cases were found in women, and 83 percent of these women were Black.

To combat these statistics, the Institute of Women & Ethnic Studies (IWES) recently held its 2nd annual National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Red Tent Event at the McKenna Museum of African-American Art. More than 300 people attended the event on a cloudless day. A brass band raised spirits and local poet, Asia Rainey, read original works about the fear associated with a positive HIV diagnosis.

According to Jennifer Glick, IWES HIV Program Manager, the Red Tent events started after Katrina as a response to the post-traumatic stress disorder and all of the trauma happening from the disaster. So, we started creating these holistic wellness events to meetthe multitude of needs of women. So, when National Women & Girls HIV/AIDs Awareness day came around, it just made a lot of sense to use thatas a way to raise awareness about how HIV and AIDS are affecting the community. Professor Karen De Salvo, New Orleans Health Commissioner, told The Louisiana Weekly HIV and AIDS is a major public health issue for women, with African-American and Latino populations suffering disproportionately.

Activities were spread throughout the museum and around its backyard. Lining the edges of the yard were a series of booths with different fun and educational activities, including demonstrations on how to use a condom. Attendees could enjoy everything from henna tattoos to a silk screening booth for people to make an HIV/AIDS awareness t-shirt. Yoga, acupuncture, blood pressure screenings, and free, confidential HIV testing were also available. Demonstrating the need for similar services, Glick said that the HIV tests were so popular that the supply actually ran out.

A slight Mimi Davis sat at the silk screening table. She said a woman had given her a flier about the event and that drew her out for her first visit to the museum and the awareness event. Davis has a two-year-old daughter, and said that educating herself so that she can keep her child safe was her main interest. I gotta be very careful with herMe being a diabetic, it makes it worse for me.

McKenna Museum curator Jennifer Williams bubbled with enthusiasm about the event. Especially considering the HIV/AIDS rates in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Louisiana, I think its needed. I think we should have more events like this, said Williams, who also felt that the museums beautiful art and spacious outdoor area made the partnership a good fit, and that the food and activities provided made the event appealing.

Rheneisha Robertson is the executive director of IWES. She says that health isnt just the absence of disease, but really the complete mental, physical, emotional health and wellness of a community. For this reason, Robertson says, IWES works with women and their families on promoting healthy life choices. In addition to the organizations work on raising awareness around HIV/AIDS prevention, it also distributes sexual and reproductive health information to help people access health resources for their communities. The third area of focus is mental health and well-being, a need that became apparent in the aftermath of Katrina, Robertson says.

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