2009

AIDS IN BLACK AMERICA

CitySheet
Los Angeles, California
Mayor
The Honorable Antonio Villaraigosa
200 N. Spring St. #303, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-978-0721, mayor@lacity.org

Los Angeles
www.mayor.lacity.org

City AIDS Coordinator

Stephen David Simon, J.D.
201 N. Figueroa #100, Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-202-2750, stephen.simon@lacity.org
www.lacityaids.org

L
os Angeles, California’s rich creative industry is exported throughout the
country and the world by its many studios and filmmakers. Less known County AIDS Director
is the legacy of Black performers that made Central Avenue sizzle in the Mario J Perez
early years such as Lucius Brooks, Spencer Williams and Dorothy Dandrige. 600 S. Commonwealth Ave., 10th Fl.
Since then Halle Berry and Forest Whitaker have gone on to win Oscars for roles Los Angeles, CA 90005
that went beyond mainstream producers’ usual depiction of Black characters. 213-351-8000, aids@ph.lacounty.org
The city can sometimes feel like an ocean of sprawl connected by freeways www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/aids
and overpasses. The city encompasses the harbor and beach communities and
the valley districts over the mountains. Besides the entertainment industry,
healthcare and aircraft development are some of the area’s largest employers. State AIDS Director
Michelle Roland, M.D.
Celebrities such as Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Sheryl Lee Ralph can often be 1616 Capitol #616, Sacramento, CA 95814
found lending their support and speaking out to raise awareness and increase 916-449-5900, michelle.roland@cdph.ca.gov
HIV prevention and treatment. There are a lot of resources here for area activists www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/AIDS
to tap into. We are proud to call Los Angeles home and to share the city with
so many pioneering organizations like the Minority AIDS Project, Women
Alive, Bienestar, Oasis Clinic, AIDS Project Los Angeles and the AIDS Healthcare State Health Department Director
Foundation.
Mark Horton
1501 Capitol #2004, Sacramento, CA 95814
Societies with policies addressing stigma are better prepared to combat AIDS.
916-558-1784, mark.horton@cdph.ca.gov
At the federal level, prevention and treatment planning are hindered by the www.cdph.ca.gov
absence of a national AIDS strategy. In California, mobilizers work under the
following aspects of their HIV/AIDS policy environment:

m  California activists have fought to ensure that prevention strategies like

needle exchange and comprehensive sex and HIV/STI education are available in
the fight against the disease.

m  Although sex education is voluntary in the state, the statute mandates that
HIV prevention information, contraception and abstinence be covered. CitySheets are a service of
Black AIDS Institute
m  California criminalizes intentional HIV transmission. 1833 W. Eighth St. #200
Los Angeles, CA 90057-4920
The city and county have recently launched initiatives to reach first-time testers 213-353-3610
and to encourage residents to know their HIV status. Area mobilizers will have 213-989-0181 fax
to work hard to achieve their goals and raise awareness in this era of deep state www.BlackAIDS.org
cuts in prevention and programs funding. California’s leadership on AIDS is Submit suggestions or corrections to
under siege today. programs@BlackAIDS.org
 Incidence and Prevalence: A Snapshot of the Epidemic in Los Angeles
Black White Latino/a1
Los Angeles County Population by Race/Ethnicity2 8.9% (883,911) 49.3% (4,870,294) 47.1% (4,658,878)
Percentage and Actual Number of People Living with HIV/AIDS by 22% (9,121) 35% (14,642) 39% (16,132)
Race/Ethnicity, Los Angeles County, as of December 1, 20083
Rate of People Living with HIV/AIDS per 100,000 People by Race/ 967 471 331
Ethnicity, Los Angeles County, as of December 1, 20083
People Living with HIV by Race/Ethnicity, Los Angeles County, as 23% (4,208) 35% (6,256) 37% (6,654)
of December 1, 20083
People Living with AIDS by Race/Ethnicity, Los Angeles County, as 21% (4,913) 35% (8,386) 40% (9,478)
of December 31, 20073
Percentage of New AIDS Diagnoses by Race/Ethnicity, Los Angeles 21.4% (136) 15% (96) 41.6% (264)
County, 20083
Percentage and Actual Number of People Living with HIV/AIDS by 18.8% (18,971) 47.2% (47,061) 29.6% (29,803)
Race/Ethnicity, California, as of January 31, 20094

Transmission Routes: How Are Black People in Los Angeles Getting HIV?
Black Men Reported Risk Behavior Percent Black Men Reporting
Transmission Routes/Behavioral Risk of Black Men Diagnosed with Men Who Have Sex with Men 54% (73)
AIDS, Los Angeles County, 20073
Men Who Have Sex with Men/ 7% (9)
Injection Drug Use
Injection Drug Use — (<5)
Heterosexual Contact — (<5)
Black Women Reported Risk Behavior Percent Black Women Reporting
Transmission Routes/Behavioral Risk of Black Women Diagnosed Heterosexual Contact 27% (12)
with AIDS, Los Angeles County, 20073
Injection Drug Use 11% (5)
Other or Unreported Risk 58% (26)

Segments of the Black Community

Age
<13 13-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60+
Black People Living with AIDS by Age Group, Los Angeles County, <1% <1% 4% 15% 43% 29% 8%
20083 (8) (14) (182) (760) (2,122) (1,417) (410)

AIDS Deaths
Year Black White Latino/a1
Percent and Number of Annual Deaths among People Diagnosed 2002 28% (175) 32% (203) 37% (235)
with AIDS by Race/Ethnicity, Los Angeles County, 2002-063
2003 28% (179) 35% (221) 34% (213)
2004 27% (175) 35% (227) 35% (230)
2005 25% (144) 36% (208) 36% (206)
2006 24% (116) 38% (182) 33% (157)

Notes:
1. Latino/a includes those of all races.
2. Source: U.S. Census Bureau. 2005-2007 American Community Survey 3-Year Estimates.
http://Factfinder.census.gov. Accessed September, 2009.
3. Source: Los Angeles County of Public Health. HIV Epidemiology Program. January
2009 HIV/AIDS Semi-Annual Surveillance Summary. Cases reported as of 12/31/08.
Accessed 9/2009. www. publichealth.lacounty.gov/hiv/
4. Source: California Department of Public Health, Office of AIDS, HIV/AIDS Case Registry
Section, data as of January 31, 2009. 2009 HIV/AIDS Statistics. http://www.cdph.
ca.gov/data/statistics/Pages/OAHIVAIDSStatistics.aspx. Accessed 9/2009.
5. 2007 Data are provisional, numbers are based on tests not necessarily individuals.
  6. Los Angeles County includes 88 incorporated cities and numerous unincorporated
areas. Cities include Los Angeles City, Long Beach, Pasadena, Inglewood, Carson,
and Compton. Unincorporated areas include Baldwin Hills, East Compton, East Los
Angeles, Ladera Heights, West Carson, and West Compton.
  7. ALL 2008 DATA ARE PROVISIONAL DUE TO REPORTING DELAY.
  8. California Confidential AIDS case reporting, by name, began in March 1983.
  9. California HIV reporting was first implemented on July 1, 2002, by non-name code
10. HIV reporting by name began on April 17, 2006
11. HIV Incidence Surveillance reporting began on March 1, 2005.
12. Not all Races/Ethnicities included. Percentages may not equal 100.
Black Civil and The CitySheet Series
Social Organizations This CitySheet is a resource intended to
provide Black community stakeholders that
want to get involved in stopping the disease
with AIDS information and potential partners.
These numbers represent real people in
NAACP Brotherhood Crusade your community who are impacted by HIV
Los Angeles Branch 200 E. Slauson Ave. and AIDS. These organizations represent
PO Box 6408 Los Angeles, CA 90011 traditional Black leadership and have an
Los Angeles, CA 90056 323-846-1649 important role to play in ending AIDS in the
310-397-1171 323-235-5536 fax Black community.
In our annual State of AIDS reports, we
310-397-1179 fax www.brotherhoodcrusade.org
assess the national picture of AIDS in Black
naacpla@sbcglobal.net Charisse Bremond- Weaver, President communities. Unfortunately, from year to
www.naacp-losangeles.org year, the reality persists: Blacks bear the brunt
Leon Jenkins, President Black Journalists Association of of HIV/AIDS in America, no matter how you
Southern California look at it, whether by gender, age, sexual
National Coalition of 100 Black P. O. Box 75129 orientation, geography, and socioeconomic
Women Los Angeles, CA 90075 class. The reasons for high infection rates
Los Angeles Chapter www.bjasc.org among Black people are complicated
P.O. Box 56337 www.nabj.org and numerous; poverty, homelessness,
Los Angeles, CA 90056-0337 Lisa Cox, President incarceration, STDs, widespread concurrent
310-837-5495 sexual partnerships in dense networks. These
www.ncbw.org Jewel’s Catch One immense and inter-connected challenges
Dove Savage Pinkney, President 4067 W. Pico Blvd. require powerful and varied responses
Los Angeles, CA 90019 that span across all sectors of the Black
National Council of Negro Women 323-734-8849 community.
Southern California Area 323-734-2467 fax Local Information
Council House www.jewelscatchone.com
In this CitySheet we look at the local
3720 W. 54th St Jewel Thais-Williams, Founder and picture. While most of this information is
Los Angeles, CA 90043 Owner publicly available in health department
323-299-9751 reports and websites, it is presented here
323-299-8751 fax Rainbow PUSH under our focus on Black people, framed by
www.ncnw.org 1313 W. 8th St. #232 our analysis and call to action. There is still
Othetta Glover , California Co-Convener Los Angeles, CA 90017 a lot we don’t know about the epidemic; at
213-483-3500 least 25% of people who are infected don’t
National Action Network 213-483-3577 fax know their status, and our ability to monitor
Western Regional Office www.rainbowpush.org the epidemic is not perfect.
5003 S. La Brea Ave. Mishael Israel, Executive Director Use this information as you see fit. Call
Los Angeles, CA 90056 the radio stations and politicians, connect
323-293-2406 Congressional Black Caucus the civil rights organizations with the AIDS
www.nationalactionnetwork.net The Honorable Maxine Waters organizations, and talk to your neighbors
Tony R. Wafford, President California, 35th District about the numbers. Ending AIDS in Black
tonywafford@aol.com 10124 S. Broadway #1 America starts with you.
Los Angeles, CA 90003 Join our efforts; a description of our
100 Black Men of Los Angeles, Inc. 323-757-8900 mobilization campaigns including Test
3701 Stocker St. #309 323-757-9506 fax 1 Million is available on our website. For
Los Angeles, CA 90008 www.house.gov/waters assistance on turning this information into
323-294-7444 www.cbcfinc.org action, please call the Black AIDS Institute at
www.100bmla.org 213-353-3610.
www.100blackmen.org Congressional Black Caucus Notes on the Data
Donald Lancaster, President The Honorable Laura Richardson m  Data is collected each year, but due to
California, 37th District backlogs and reporting schedules the most
Los Angeles Urban League 100 W. Broadway current numbers are not always available.
3450 Mount Vernon Dr. West Tower #600 m  Information is presented at the city,
Los Angeles, CA 90008 Long Beach, CA 90802 county and state level, depending on what
323-299-9660 562-436-3828 was available. Jurisdictions are noted.
www.laul.org 562-437-6434 fax m  Some data show the number/
www.nul.org www.richardson.house.gov percentage of HIV infections alone and in
Blair H. Taylor, President www.cbcfinc.org some cases HIV infections are combined with
cases of full blown AIDS. Be mindful of this
National Pan-Hellenic Council Congressional Black Caucus distinction.
Western Region The Honorable Diane E. Watson m  HIV is primarily transmitted through
P. O. Box 431152 California, 33rd District sex, injection drug use, and in childbirth.
Los Angeles, CA 90043 4322 Wilshire Blvd. #302 HIV is spread through blood, semen, vaginal
www.nphchq.org Los Angeles, CA 90010 fluids and breast milk. Transmission route
Edward Carter, President 323-965-1422 information is collected from people who
323-965-1113 fax test positive for HIV to find out how they
think they got infected; also known as
Lucy Florence Cultural Center www.house.gov/watson
“self-reporting.” The transmission route
3351 W. 43rd St. www.cbcfinc.org information is not intended to stigmatize
Los Angeles, CA 90008 groups or behaviors but to inform prevention
323-293-1356 Coalition of Black Trade Unionists planning efforts.
323-293-1276 fax Southern California Chapter m  Organizational contact information
www.lucyflorence.builderspot.com 213-760-8696 represents that which was available at the
lucyflorence2@yahoo.com www.cbtu.org time this CitySheet was published.
Ron and Richard Harris, Owners Ruby Spann, President
HIV/AIDS Organizations
Black AIDS Institute
1833 W. 8th St. #200
Los Angeles, CA 90057
213-353-3610
213-989-0181 fax
www.BlackAIDS.org
Phill Wilson, Founder and Chief
Executive Officer
PhillWilson@blackaids.org
Asian Pacific AIDS
Intervention Team
605 W. Olympic Blvd. #610
Los Angeles, CA 90015
213-553-1835
213-553-1833 fax
www.apaitonline.org
LA Gay & Lesbian Center
1625 N. Schrader Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028-6213
323-993-7400
www.lagaycenter.org
Lori L. Jean, Chief Executive
Officer
ljean@lagaycenter.org
JWCH Institute, Inc.
1910 W. Sunset Blvd. #650
Los Angeles, CA 90026
213-484-1186
213-413-3443 fax
www.jwchinstitute.org
Alvaro Ballesteros, M.B.A., Chief
Executive Officer
aballesteros@jwchinstitute.org
Bienestar Human Services
5326 Beverly Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90022
323-727-7896
323-727-0284 fax
www.bienestar.org
Oscar De La O, President and
Executive Director
odelao@bienestar.org
AltaMed Health Services,
Inc.
500 Citadel Dr. #490
Los Angeles, CA 90040
323-725-8751
www.altamed.org
Castulo de la Rocha, J.D.,
President and Chief Executive
Officer
cdelarocha@altamed.org
Black AIDS Institute
The Black AIDS Institute, founded in 1999, is the only national HIV/AIDS think tank in the
United States focused exclusively on Black people. The Institute’s mission is to stop the AIDS
pandemic in Black communities by engaging and mobilizing Black leaders, institutions and
individuals in efforts to confront HIV. The Institute conducts HIV policy research, interprets
public and private sector HIV policies, conducts trainings, builds capacity, disseminates
information, and provides advocacy and mobilization from a uniquely and unapologetically
Black point of view.
AIDS Project Los Angeles
611 S. Kingsley Dr.
Los Angeles, CA 90005
213-201-1543
www.apla.org
Craig E. Thompson, Executive
Director
Women Alive
1566 Burnside Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90019
323-965-1564
323-965-1564 fax
www.women-alive.org
Carrie Broadus, Executive
Director
carrie@women-alive.org
Oasis Clinic
1807 E. 120th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90059
310-668-4213
310-631-2934 fax
www.oasisclinicla.org
Wilbert C. Jordan, M.D., M.P.H.,
Medical Director
Common Ground-the
Westside HIV Community
Center
2012 Lincoln Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310-314-5480
310-314-5487 fax
www.commongroundwestside.
org
Sharon Chamberlain, Executive
Director
Being Alive
7531 Santa Monica Blvd. #100
West Hollywood, CA 90046
323-874-4322
323-969-8753 fax
www.beingalivela.org
Kevin Kurth, Executive Director
kevin@beingalivela.org
AIDS Healthcare
Foundation
6255 W. Sunset Blvd., 21st Fl.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
323-860-5200
323-962-8513 fax
www.aidshealth.org
Michael Weinstein, President
michaelw@aidshealth.org
California Black Women’s
Health Project
101 N. La Brea Ave. #610
Inglewood, CA 90301
310-412-1828
310-412-0923 fax
www.cabwhp.org
Crystal Crawford, Esq., Chief
Executive Officer
crystal@cabwhp.org
Diva Foundation
900 Sunset Blvd, #709
West Hollywood, CA 90069
323-396-8951
323-936-0323 fax
feedback@divassimplysinging.com
www.Divassimplysinging.com
Sheryl Lee Ralph, Founder
Children’s Hospital LA
4650 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Black Media
L.A. Metropolitan Gazette
14621 Titus St. #228
Van Nuys, CA 91402
Hilliard Hamm, Publisher
KJAZZ 88.1 FM
1288 N Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90815
562-985-5566
562-985-2982 fax
www.jazzandblues.org
KHHT 92.3 FM
3400 W. Olive Ave. #550
Burbank, CA 91505
818-559-2252
818-955-8178 fax
www.hot923.com
Los Angeles Sentinel
3800 Crenshaw Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90008
323-299-3800
323-299-9896 fax
www.lasentinel.net
Jennifer Thomas, Publisher
323-660-2450
www.childrenshospitlla.org
Richard D. Cordova, FACHE,
President and Chief Executive
Officer
rcordova@chla.usc.edu
In the Meantime Men’s
Group, Inc.
P. O. Box 29861
Los Angeles, CA 90024
323-733-4868
inthemeantimemen@aol.com
Jeffrey King, Founder and
Executive Director
Minority AIDS Project
5149 Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90016
323-936-4949
www.map-usa.org
Victor P. McKamie, M.P.A.,
Executive Director
KTWV 94.7 FM
5670 Wilshire Blvd. #200
Los Angeles, CA 90036
www.947wave.com
310-840-7100
L.A. Watts Times
3540 Wilshire Blvd. #PH3,
Los Angeles, CA 90010
213-251-5700, ext. 211
213-251-5720 fax
www.lawattstimes.com
KPWR 105.9 FM
2600 W. Olive Ave., 8th Fl.
Burbank, CA 91505
818-953-4200
818-848-0961 fax
www.power106.fm
Wave Newspapers
1730 W. Olympic Blvd. #500
Los Angeles, CA 90015
323-556-5720
213-835-0584 fax
www.wavenewspapers.com
This project is funded, in part, by
the generous contributions of
the Ford Foundation, Broadway
Cares and the Elton John AIDS
Foundation.
FORD
FOUNDATION