Norton to Discuss Impact of Celebrity and Entertainment on HIV/AIDS Awareness
Norton to Hold Press Conference on the Impact of Celebrity and Entertainment on HIV/AIDS Awareness
(May 15, 2009)Washington, DC –Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will host a press conference about the impact celebrity and entertainment has on reaching often hard to reach populations with critical HIV/AIDS awareness information. The press conference, Friday, May 15, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Cannon House Office Building, room 345, will kick-off the upcoming 8th Annual Big Tigger Celebrity Classic, a fundraiser for HIV/AIDS awareness, scheduled in Washington, D.C. June 4-6. Each year, the weekend’s series of events attracts, entertains and educates more than 25,000 attendees.
“The shocking new data about HIV infections among African Americans deserves renewed attention,” Norton said. “In addition to the traditional methods of educating and testing, we need to highlight and mimic non-traditional approaches that are working. Big Tigger, an internationally syndicated radio personality and former BET host, is an example of someone who has successfully used their passion and celebrity to make a difference.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the annual rate of new HIV infections was roughly 40 % greater than previously believed, and African Americans account for one out of every two new infections. CDC data also show that in comparison to whites, blacks fair far worse. Among black males aged 13 to 29, for instance, the incidence of HIV infection was 1.6 times higher than that of whites, and among black women in that same age group, the incidence of infection was 14.7 percent higher than that of white women.
The Congresswoman has held four town hall meetings – for clergy, men, women, and youth – addressing taboo subjects, and encouraging individuals to take responsibility for protecting their health and getting tested. She has encouraged government agencies to offer free, confidential testing at public events. She set the example by offering tests at all of her public events, including tax fairs, jobs fairs, and fairs for small businesses. There will be media availability afterwards in the stakeout positions outside the Caucus room.