Newark City Councilwoman Gayle Chaneyfield Jenkins will be the guest speaker on Tuesday, February 13 in Newark for observance of the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). The African American Office of Gay Concerns and Newark Community Health Centers (NCHC) will partner together to hold the event.
The is the first partnership between the two agencies. They bring together clinical and social behavioral services addressing HIV in the Black community.
“According to the New Jersey Department of Health,” says Gary Paul Wright, Executive Director of the AAOGC, “Newark and Essex County continue to lead the state in the number of HIV infections. There has been a decline in the number of new infections, thankfully. But deaths due to HIV/AIDS disease is the 5th leading cause of death for African American males aged 25–54, and fourth leading cause of death for African American females in the same age range.”
The guest speaker, Councilwoman Chaneyfield Jenkins, has been an advocate fighting for HIV awareness for many years. She has served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Broadway House for Continuing Care. She was also instrumental in getting a Resolution through City Hall recognizing our first National Transgender HIV Testing Day last April. She has been a steadfast supporter of the AAOGC since its inception in 2002.
The NBHAAD observance will take place from 5-7 pm. The space has been provided by St. Clare’s Social Services. ”AAOGC’s Wright states that “St. Clare’s has always been there for us. They are like family to us, and we certainly appreciate everything they’ve done for us and our community.”
Richlyn Burnham, Senior Manager for NCHC’s Infectious Disease Programs said, “NCHC is pleased to work in collaboration with AAOGC and St. Clare’s on this highly important topic in healthcare today. This event is the first of many that AAOGC and NCHC will present together to the Newark Community. We take great pride in combating the HIV disease and all that is affected by the disease.”
The mission of Newark Community Health Centers is to provide affordable, high quality and accessible healthcare to the communities that they serve. Their primary goal is to eliminate health disparities and help people live stronger, healthier and happier lives. In 2017, NCHC served 46,197 patients and provided treatment and care services to 475 people.
For more information call 800-994-6242 or visit nchcfqhc.org/
