The truth is, our attitudes and behaviors about sex are killing the African-American community. The truth is, diseases spread through sexual contact are raging like brushfire across our community. People don’t know they are putting their lives at risk because we have not educated them. We cannot help our community unless we are willing to face the facts:

HIV and AIDS in our community

• 62% of all new HIV infections in Tarrant County are African-American women
• Our people continue to make risky, life-threatening choices in their sexual behaviors
• In 2003, Tarrant County reported 236 new cases of HIV.
• In the first six months of 2004, Tarrant County has already reported 241 cases.
• HIV/AIDS claims over 8,000 lives every day worldwide. That’s 5 people every minute.
• African Americans account for 37% of all AIDS cases in Tarrant County.
• Half of new infections are occurring in young people (15-24 year olds), who constitute one-third of those living with HIV and AIDS worldwide.
• Black children in the U.S. represent almost two-thirds (62 percent) of all reported pediatric AIDS cases.
• AIDS orphaned 2.3 million children in 2001 alone.