San Francisco's Black Coalition On AIDS Campaigns To Increase Awareness

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- Monday is National Black HIV-AIDS Awareness Day. African-Americans account for nearly half of new HIV infections, despite being only 13 percent of the nation's population.

Thirty years after the start of the AIDS epidemic, African-Americans continue to be disproportionately affected by the disease.

KCBS' Melissa Culross Reports:

Jimmy Loyce, executive director of the Black Coalition on AIDS in San Francisco, said poverty and stigma are contributing factors to the slanted numbers of HIV infections within the community.

"HIV is but one of our many issues," said Loyce, who cited violence, mental health, substance abuse, substandard housing as issues that get seen as more problematic within African-American communities.

Loyce says his organization soon will launch an AIDS awareness campaign using images to include the whole African-American community.

"It's about you as an individual and about us as a community," said Loyce when referring to his messages intent of a broader appeal.

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