Dear: Broward County Community Stakeholder

Dear: Broward County Community Stakeholder

“Every 35 minutes, a woman tests positive for HIV in this country.  Yet the impact of HIV among Black women and girls is even more distressing: Black women represent a disproportionate number of HIV/AIDS cases, compared to the proportion in the overall female population in the US.  The cruel reality is that 1 in 30 Black women will be diagnosed with HIV at some point in her life”

      In Broward County there are some disturbing statistics with regards to HIV and Black women. Black women have been the hardest hit among all race/ethnic groups of women in Broward County. Cumulatively through August 2012, Black women account for 81 percent of the reported female cases living with HIV by race/ethnicity compared to whites 10 percent and Hispanics 7 percent. Among Black women, 80 percent of the HIV cases are between the ages of 30-59 years old. Black women had the highest rate of new HIV cases 78 (72 percent); and new AIDS cases 56 (77 percent) in August 2012, than any other race.

     According to these statistics Black women are being impacted by HIV at an alarming rate. The unfortunate truth is that that every woman who is sexually active is at risk. HIV/AIDS infection among Black women is a complex mix of economic, social, cultural, biological, environmental, and behavioral factors.  

     We cannot allow this crisis to continue, there is hope! Today with HIV medical advances we can Stand Together as a caring community against HIV/AIDS to reduce the disproportionate burden Black women and their partners bear. As residents and community leaders of Broward County it is imperative that we mobilize in leadership and advocacy roles to use our influence and social stature in an effort to improve the quality of life for Black women, women who are underserved and their partners living with or affected by HIV in Broward County.

     After years of experience in the Broward County community, we at CommuniCare Family Life Services realize it is time to broaden our efforts to interested citizens, community stakeholders, and grassroots organizations, such as yours to form a much needed coalition to address the disproportionate burden of HIV disparity and health inequities that impact racial/ethnic and medically underserved populations in Broward County. 

     As a stakeholder, we are soliciting your support to assist in developing a support service network for Black women living with HIV and their families affected by HIV/AIDS; and lack the community services support system to help them to maintain an adequate quality of life. It is our intent; to provide them the network to address their unmet needs. The coalition effort is to provide the assistance in guiding means for them to set goals and objectives in improving all aspects of their life. This coalition purpose is to increase access to public education; improve HIV health literacy; target behavior changes; promote HIV testing among African American men and women; promote psychological support, address HIV stigma in African American communities, and to ensure quality health care services are readily available to Black women living with HIV, and women who are high risk for becoming HIV positive and their partners.

     Now is the time for us to organize to make a collective attempt at getting our voices heard to bring about changes?  Addressing HIV in Black women and their partners present unique challenges and benefits; and it will require caring dedicated partners that share our vision. Each partner will bring with them a unique set of strengths, resources, and skills to thrust forward as a positive force to address this devastating problem in our community. I hope you will be willing to join us in this very vital endeavor.

     CommuniCare Family Life Services Inc. is a nonprofit 501(C) 3 organization, founded in 1999 to provide services to decrease health disparities in Broward County. For the past five years we have provided HIV support services to Black women living with HIV/AIDS.

     Please join us on Saturday, April13, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL. Feel free to contact me at (954) 895-5874.

     We look forward to the prospect of working with you on these important issues. Your attendance will be greatly appreciated.

            For more information and to confirm your attendance, please call (954) 895-5874 or email Loretta Moore at lamoore19@comcat.net.

Sincerely Loretta Moore CEO/President