Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 9, 1995 TAG: 9507100089
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Crucial services, such as locally available primary medical care, prevention education in schools, housing and home-delivered meals, were lacking throughout Western Virginia. But, the study concluded, the biggest barriers to providing those services were fear and the prejudice that accompanies that fear.
Remarks such as those made by Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., last week play on those fears, said Carol Webb, the council's director.
Helms called for a reduction in the amount of federal money spent on people with AIDS because, he said, their ``deliberate, disgusting, revolting conduct'' was responsible for their disease.
``When you use adjectives such as he did, it displays some of the prejudices,'' Webb said. "You've also got to remember that there are people infected who are hemophiliacs, mothers passing it on to children. You need to look at all avenues."
The Roanoke-based council conducted a community needs assessment in March to determine what HIV/AIDS services were available in the 29-county, 13-city region it serves and to identify gaps in those services. The study used input from representatives of hospitals, health care businesses and human service organizations who attended eight community meetings.
The study primarily fulfilled a requirement for agencies that receive funds under the Ryan White Care Act of 1990, the federal program for the care and treatment of people with AIDS. The study's completion comes as Congress considers reauthorizing the Ryan White law.
The law, named for an Indiana teenager who died after contracting AIDS through a tainted blood product, expires at the end of September. Despite broad bipartisan support, the measure appears stalled.
Ryan White funding - available to people with AIDS who cannot afford medication, dental care, eye care or transportation to and from doctors' appointments - is crucial, Webb said. Funneled to Virginia localities through the state Department of Health, it makes up more than half of the council's budget - $184,830 for the 1995-96 fiscal year. The council also receives $104,000 in prevention education funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The study acknowledged the prevention education and outreach efforts that exist at correctional facilities and college campuses in Western Virginia. In some localities, churches are involved in providing food and housing assistance, counseling and support groups.
But the study pointed the finger at other churches and religious organizations. Some ``have acted to perpetuate fears and negative community attitudes towards people who are HIV positive,'' according to the study's executive summary.
More must be done to boost public awareness, Webb said.
``A lot is lacking for the public as to what services are available and prevention education efforts,'' Webb said. ``There are whole communities ignoring HIV and AIDS. And there is still some frustration over bringing any direct programs on AIDS prevention into the schools."
Other study findings:
Limited funding was identified throughout the region as a barrier to services.
Confidentiality was identified as an issue that created barriers both in coordinating services and in inhibiting clients from seeking services. Clients fear their identity may be known if they seek services and are concerned they might receive poor treatment if they identify themselves as being HIV positive.
Greater publicity is needed to inform service providers where services are available.
Webb said she was not surprised by the findings.
``Most of this was pretty much what we had seen and heard before,'' she said. ``Working with clients, we heard problems they encountered. But to actually talk to people who were not clients really documented community concerns.''
The AIDS council - a division of Roanoke's Council of Community Services - serves Southwest, Southside and Central Virginia.
The study listed 542 cases of AIDS reported since 1985 and 611 HIV cases since 1990 in Southwest and parts of Southside and Central Virginia.
In Roanoke, there were 159 cases of AIDS and 256 HIV cases reported. In the Alleghany District, which includes Roanoke and Botetourt counties and Salem, the numbers were 50 and 26 respectively. The New River Valley had 38 AIDS cases and 33 HIV cases reported.
by CNB