The story of HIV/AIDS in the African-American community is an old one that hasn’t changed much. At all stages —- from infection with HIV to deaths from AIDS —- blacks continue to bear the brunt of the epidemic.

Today, AIDS is the leading cause of death among black women ages 24-34 and the second leading cause among black men ages 35-44.

But there is still hope, health officials say.

That’s the message Michael Banner wants to impart this month when the African-American Outreach Initiative holds its 10th annual conference on HIV/AIDS in Atlanta.

The goal of the two-day conference, scheduled for Saturday and March 15, is to identify people who are HIV positive and get them into care, said Banner, chairman of the planning committee, a coalition of AIDS service organizations.

Banner said the conference each year attracts between 500 and 600 people who are HIV positive, and this year promises to be no different.

“That’s what makes this conference different,” he said. “It gives people who are HIV positive a safe place to come and get information and see role models who are living with HIV but not living in the shadows.”

If you’re not sure of your status, free testing is offered at a number of agencies, including AIDAtlanta, AIDGwinnett, the Fulton County Health Department and STAND, 3423 Covington Drive, Decatur; 404-284-9878.

No appointment is needed.

IF YOU GO

> What: 10th annual conference on HIV/AIDS

> When: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. March 15

> Where: The Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland St., Atlanta

> Admission: Free to HIV/AIDS infected

 HOW GEORGIA, METRO AREAS ARE FARING
UNITED STATES
Estimated rates of new HIV infections, by race/ethnicity and gender, 2006 
Rate per 100,000 population

........Black....Hispanic..White 
Men ....115.7....43.1......19.6
Women....55.7....14.4 ......3.8
Note: Hispanics can be of any race.


GEORGIA* 
People living with HIV (non-AIDS), 2006: 28,599 

 ............Male..........Female
By gender....73% (20,809)..27% (7,790)

....................Black ....Hispanic..White
By race/ethnicity ..73% ......4%........23%     
....................(20,759)..(1,174) ..(6,666) 

People living with AIDS, 2006: 18,762 
 ............Male..........Female
By gender....77% (14,380)..23% (4,382)

....................Black ....Hispanic..White
By race/ethnicity ..71% ......4%........25%     
....................(13,296)..(776) ....(4,690) 
*Georgia total excludes cases with unassigned counties 
Note: Hispanics can be of any race.


GWINNETT COUNTY 
People living with HIV (non-AIDS), 2006: 1,092 
 ............Male ......Female
By gender....74% (806)..26% (286)

....................Black ..Hispanic..White
By race/ethnicity ..54% ....11% ......35%     
....................(590) ..(115) ....(387) 

People living with AIDS, 2006: 624
 ............Male ......Female
By gender....79% (493)..21% (131)

....................Black....Hispanic ..White
By race/ethnicity ..52%......11%........37%     
....................(324)....(67) ......(233) 
Note: Hispanics can be of any race.


DEKALB COUNTY 
People living with HIV (non-AIDS), 2006: 4,619 
 ............Male ........Female
By gender....77% (3,559)..23% (1,060)

....................Black ....Hispanic..White
By race/ethnicity ..76% ......4%........20%     
....................(3,515)..(185) ....(919) 

People living with AIDS, 2006: 3,000 
 ............Male ........Female
By gender....80% (2,411)..20% (589)

....................Black ....Hispanic..White
By race/ethnicity ..75% ......4%........21%     
....................(2,251)..(112)......(637) 
Note: Hispanics can be of any race.


COBB COUNTY 
People living with HIV (non-AIDS), 2006: 1,445 
 ............Male ........Female
By gender....71% (1,027)..29% (418)

....................Black ..Hispanic..White
By race/ethnicity ..63% ....8%........29%     
....................(916) ..(111) ....(418) 

People living with AIDS, 2006: 850 
 ............Male ......Female
By gender....74% (627)..26% (223)

....................Black....Hispanic..White
By race/ethnicity ..60%......8%........32%     
....................(513)....(66)......(271) 
Note: Hispanics can be of any race.


FULTON COUNTY 
People living with HIV (non-AIDS), 2006: 8,618
 ............Male ........Female
By gender....80% (6,855)..20% (1,763)

....................Black....Hispanic..White
By race/ethnicity ..75%......3%........22%     
....................(6,477)..(277) ....(1,864) 
 
People living with AIDS, 2006: 6,567 
 ............Male ........Female
By gender....83% (5,420)..17% (1,147)

....................Black....Hispanic..White
By race/ethnicity ..72.2%....3.4%......24.4%     
....................(4,742)..(221) ....(1,604) 
Note: Hispanics can be of any race.

Research by GRACIE BONDS STAPLES and ELIZABETH 
LANDT / Staff 
Graphic by ELIZABETH LANDT / Staff 
Sources: Georgia HIV/AIDS Reporting System, Georgia Division of Public Health, CDC