National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS Focuses on Black Americans

35^th Anniversary Promotes Awareness, Education and Compassion

 "The Doctor and the Preacher" Discussion Series Streams Live

RICHMOND, Va., Feb. 28, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Despite advances in HIV/AIDS treatments, Black communities continue to face disproportionately high rates of the disease, with African Americans accounting for 42 percent of new cases¹ even though they comprise about only 13 percent of the population. In an effort to reduce this disparity, The Balm In Gilead, Inc. is organizing the 35^th observance of the National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS (March 5 – 12, 2023). The purpose of the awareness week is to mobilize Black faith communities to educate their members about the disease and to pray for the people and families it affects.

"Faith communities are the central source of knowledge and opinion for many African Americans," said Dr. Pernessa C. Seele, founder and CEO of The Balm In Gilead, Inc., a non-profit health promotion and advocacy organization. "We believe that faith institutions are essential to addressing the many health disparities in our community, especially HIV/AIDS, which is shrouded in stigmas that prevent individuals from learning their HIV status and maintaining their treatment."

A central feature of the week of prayer will be a livestreamed discussion series, "The Doctor and the Preacher." Topics will include: Scientific Advancements in HIV (March 6); HIV and Mental Health (March 7), and Black Women and HIV (March 8). Each session will begin at 12noonET. Viewers can access the series via Facebook and at the organization's website, www.balmingilead.org.

¹ "HIV and African American People"; CDC (02/22)

SOURCE Balm In Gilead, Inc.