News from the Office of State Assembly Member
Wilmer Amina Carter,
District 62
HIV/AIDS
forum highlights growth in minority cases and ways to allocate services and funding
When Jacqueline Sheffield was diagnosed with the virus that causes AIDS in 1993, she dealt with the heartbreak by attending
support groups that promoted openness and awareness of HIV. "Back then, it was like a death sentence. There was a lot of hurt
and pain. These groups helped."
Now she is a person living with the virus that causes AIDS, not dying from AIDS, she told a panel of HIV/AIDS experts at a
forum on April 21 in Rialto. But since Sheffield moved to San Bernardino, the ignorance and stigma associated with AIDS has
worsened her condition at times. Stress takes its toll on her immune system, which has already been weakened by the virus.
"Not being able to disclose the condition causes much needless suffering among people with HIV/AIDS," she said. "I started
coming out of my shell because somebody needs to take a stand."
Sheffield joined close to 100 community leaders, elected officials and public health professionals in a forum designed to
bring attention to the rising number of HIV/AIDS cases among blacks and Latinos in the Inland Empire. The sponsors of the
forum were State Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter, 62nd Assembly District, State Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod 32nd Senate
District and the City of Rialto. The legislators wanted to hear thoughts and ideas on the needs that must be met.
"A shift has occurred. Most new AIDS cases are coming from the African American and Latino communities," Assembly Member Carter
said at the forum. "We believe there's an unmet need in our region and resources are needed to address disparities in
care."
"It's not as simple as pouring in money. Legislators can make resources available but must make sure resources are allocated
effectively," said State Senator McLeod.
The panelists also came together to discuss what resources are available and how best to allocate them for the prevention
of HIV/AIDS. The forum set the stage for more cooperation and leadership on the issue in the Inland Empire and Southern California.
Another event is expected to be held in the future.
Minorities are not being tested, in part, because of the cultural stigma. As a result, they are not getting treated, panelists
said. Underreporting creates funding shortages for services because an increased need can't be demonstrated, said Becky Nanyonjo
DrPH of the San Bernardino County Public Health Department. "Surveillance has been the big push. We lost 1,400 cases and you
need those cases to get the funding to help people."
Patricia Green of Brothers and Sisters in Action in Rialto said that people are getting tested but they are not coming back
to get the results. One of the best methods is to pay people to get tested and pay them to get the results, she said. Testing
has become simpler. For a pre-screening test, a swab of saliva is taken instead of a vial of blood.
Dr. Ernest Levister MD from the J.W. Vines, Jr. MD Medical Society Inc. and a specialist in preventative medicine told the
forum that with early detection, "hopefully we can control the spread of the disease. We must educate the individual and provide
culturally aware and sensitive care. Support should not be attached with a guilt trip. The support they need should be from
the heart."
The speakers and panelists include: Joseph Terrill and Deya Smith-Starks of the AIDS Health Foundation; Ernest Levister, MD,
J.W. Vines, Jr. MD, Medical Society Inc.; Becky Nanyonjo PhD, San Bernardino County Public Health; Kathaleen Collins,
Planned Parenthood Health Education; Dr. Robert Fairly, New Hope Missionary Baptist Church; Deborah Morales, Bienestar Health
Services of San Bernardino, Patricia Green, Brothers and Sisters in Action in Rialto; Faith Bolton, First Chance Youth Community
Health Outreach Workers. Kurt O. Wilson from the office of San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris moderated the forum.
For more information, visit www.assembly.ca.gov/carter or contact Assembly Member Carter's District Office at (909) 820-5008.