Letter to CDC/African American HIV/STD initiative

Sent in response to recent data on infection rates among African Americans and the launching of a new CDC initiative:

I received a letter from Dr. Gerberding distributed via the WASH ListServ that cited facts about the disproportionate incidence of HIV/STD among the African American population. I applaud the proposed discussion with those “whom CDC has not traditionally engaged”. With the current listing of partner organizations, there is great message buy-in but little diversity of thought. I very sincerely believe that you need to talk to groups other than government departments and the agencies they fund. There are an increasing number of Milwaukee agencies and churches contacting us who want to try an alternative approach to condoms and testing. They want more than measures that assume black youth are incapable of abstaining from sex.

Since a new working group was announced that will develop an action plan, I would hope this group would consider the successful ABC approach. If you would embolden and fund inner city youth development agencies, schools and churches to encourage fidelity and abstinence, not as a contraceptive choice but as a way to live for the betterment of their communities, you may find a greater buy-in by concerned community leaders. The community has to be empowered to change outcomes.

Damage control efforts alone are insulting to our humanity. But when policy is driven by protection of individual sexual freedom at the expense of public health and societal well-being, perhaps the existing situation is to be expected. There is a great line in a Law and Order episode. In response to a teen saying “This is a free country”, the cop responds “No, it’s a democracy”. Maybe we can’t have it both ways.

While I understand that there are many factors operating within inner cities that add to the “big picture”, I am very concerned that stubborn adherence to a condom risk reduction program is at the cost of lives. It is a theoretical solution without proof in reality. It is a hope-less approach without a promise of a better future. Potentially, the African Americans are the start of the domino effect that will sweep the country.

Is someone wise enough to ask “What if We Are Wrong?”