Orlando Sentinel Profiles Minister Working to Raise HIV/AIDS Awareness Among Blacks
The Orlando Sentinel yesterday profiled Rev. W.J. Poole, a minister working to raise HIV/AIDS awareness among blacks in Lake County, Fla. "HIV infection and AIDS are a real problem in the black community, and it's due to lack of information and understanding. I believe once we give the people the knowledge they need, they will then make the right decision about their lives," Poole, whose 90-member Everlasting Life Church of God plans to distribute information on HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and education, said. Poole also plans to speak to schools and church and civic groups about the disease. "Someone needs to sound the trumpet about HIV and other diseases that affect the black community," he explained. Blacks account for more than half of all new HIV infections in the United States, although they make up only 13% of the general population. A specific racial breakdown of HIV/AIDS cases is not available for Lake County, but the county recorded 45 new HIV cases and 29 new AIDS cases last year (Dowell, Orlando Sentinel, 2/28). The full article is available online.
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