The Baltimore Times

This article is the conclusion of a three-part series about “Mr. B,” who has requested anonymity. The series looks at the impact of HIV on “Mr. B’s life,” and his efforts to help curtail the disease, which has reached epidemic proportions in the black community.

Overcome with emotion, a woman walks over to a small clinic located across the street from the University of Maryland Medical Center on Greene Street. She has just received the news that the results of her HIV test came back positive. Her hand nervously shakes as she lights a cigarette and places it in her mouth. With the cigarette tightly grasped between her lips and fingers, she takes a deep drag.

The distraught woman is followed by “Mr. B,” an HIV-positive counselor and health educator who accompanied her to the test site. He assures her that life goes on. However, he is also quick to tell her that how her life proceeds from this point depends upon the action she takes to treat her condition.

“One of the programs I work with allows us to offer people who come into the emergency room a free HIV test,” said Mr. B. “Many are upset when their test comes back positive, because they aren’t expecting that. But it allows us to get them before they get sick.”   

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) points out that many people with HIV can benefit greatly from current medications used to treat HIV infection. 

 “I am in a beautiful situation where I work with individuals who are passionate about helping people with HIV,” said Mr. B.  “This was the perfect for me.”

“Mr. B” is HIV-positive, and has been living with the disease for 30 years. He works as a health educator, group facilitator, counselor, outreach coordinator and speaker, in the area of HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. He also works aboard a mobile unit that conducts free HIV testing.

“There are many resources out there to help,” said Mr. B. “This includes money from the Ryan White Program.”

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides HIV-related services in the United States for those without sufficient health care coverage or financial resources for coping with HIV. The program fills in gaps not met by other providers.

According to the CDC, people can live much longer— even decades— with HIV before they develop AIDS. This is because of “highly active” combinations of medications that were introduced in the mid-1990s.

“Taking HIV medication is now a lot easier,” said Mr. B. “People are taking their medicine and staying on it. I have heard of people taking as many as 25 pills a day. Some had to be taken with food, without food, refrigerated and non-refrigerated. That was hard. People were giving up on taking the medication. But things have changed.”

Even with the advent of the new medications to treat HIV/AIDS the CDC notes that while current medications can dramatically improve the health of people living with HIV and slow progression from HIV infection to AIDS, existing treatments need to be taken daily for the rest of a person’s life, need to be carefully monitored, and come with costs and potential side effects.

“I am part of my own healthcare,” said Mr. B.  “I take my medicine every day just like the doctor prescribed. When I see my doctor, I have already researched the issue. I study the enemy in order to defeat it.  I am having problems with my heart, which is a side effect of the medication. I have good days and I have bad days. There are days when I can’t walk in the morning, and just taking a step is excruciating.”

 He added, “This virus does something to everyone who has it. I have seen how it works. The treatment is also very expensive. One 30-day medication will run about $500 to $1000, and every regimen has to have at least three pills.”

‘Mr. B’ believes he may been infected with HIV through either intravenous drug use or sexual activity with female IV drug users. He feels the best treatment for stopping HIV is prevention. The 50-year-old is on a mission to spread this message in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. 

“I talk to kids in college and even children in middle school,” he said. “I shouldn’t have to talk to kids in middle school about sex, but I have to. We have to be real about what’s going on to help stop this disease. I believe God is using me.”

When asked if he sees a cure on the horizon, ‘Mr. B’ paused for a moment as he pondered the question.

“I believe we will have a cure soon,” he replied. “A cure offers a lot of hope and some of us might even live to see it. You have to believe a cure is coming. If you don’t ever think a cure is coming, its messes with your head.”

For more information about HIV/AIDS, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: www.CDC.org and to learn more about the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program visit www.hab.hrsa.gov.

Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday with hands-on activities about the simple but complex topic of our skin color at the Chesapeake Children’s Museum Located at 25 Silopanna Road in Annapolis. Why are we different, and how are we all the same? Inspired by the picture book “The Skin You Live In,” common objects including potatoes and other items from the kitchen will used to demystify the subject of pigmentation.   

Participants will bake and eat potato skins! Yum! For ages, 7 to 12. The cost is $8 per child. Free for accompanying adults. For more information,call: 410-990-1993 or visit: www.theccm.org

Monday, January 21, 2013
10:30 a.m. to Noon 

Many advocates feel that one of the greatest weapons currently at our disposal in the fight against HIV/AIDS among African Americans is the black church. It can be found in every community, it has millions of members, is highly respected, wields tremendous influence and has spiritual power.

 “Churches are pivotal to the black community,” said “Mr. B” who spoke during Speak To My Heart Ministries’ first-ever Community Awareness Sunday on December 2, 2012. “The black community knows where the churches are. Black churches are critical in helping us to educate people in order to get a handle on this disease.”

“Mr. B,” who has requested anonymity, was among a group of panelists living with HIV/AIDS who shared their stories during the event held at the church.  WEAA 88.9 FM radio personality Duane Johnson is pastor of the church, which is located at 3903 W. Belvedere Avenue in Baltimore. 

.“Whenever I speak, my hope is to remove ignorance,” said “Mr. B.” “In 2012, in the area of HIV and AIDS, there is still quite a bit of ignorance that still needs to be dealt with that is still hurting people and does not stop the disease. It is helpful to bring in individuals with HIV and AIDS who are living with the disease.”

December 1, 2012 marked World AIDS Day. Speak To My Heart Ministries held their event in honor of the global effort declared by the World Health Organization for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The event also featured free testing and a worship service. According to “Mr. B,” he was asked to participate by Robbin Alexander, who works as an HIV/AIDS Outreach/Patient Advocate with Sinai Hospital and was one of the event organizers.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 1.1 million people in the United States are living with HIV infection, including over 200,000 people (18.1 percent) who are unaware of their infection. In 2009, African Americans comprised 14 percent of the U.S. population but accounted for 44 percent of all new HIV infections in that year. Compared with members of other races and ethnicities, African Americans account for a higher proportion of HIV infections at all stages of disease— from new infections to deaths.

In light of these alarming statistics, it is imperative that community members and influential leaders in the African American commuity collorabate with the CDC and other government agencies, as well as health organizations to help eradicate the spread of HIV/AIDS in African Americans. 

Debra Y. Fraser-Howze, founder and past president of the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, the largest black HIV and AIDS non-profit organization of its kind in America was the first to mobilize a broad coalition of African American leaders that included clergy and political leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

“With President Barack Obama in office again, I would love to see a coming together of the communities of the major cities in developing a new plan that will include the tools we now have [available] in the community to help fight this disease,” Fraser-Howze said, noting advancements such as the new OraQuick In-Home HIV Test.

“In the black community, we are disproportionately impacted by HIV and other diseases like hepatitis C,” she said.  “With hepatitis C, people can go for years without any knowledge of infection until they need a liver transplant or [are diagnosed with] cirrhosis of the liver. We have to respond and we have to respond now. My hope is that we can get that done and work together as a community to eradicate these diseases.”

Fraser-Howze has been widely recognized for more than two decades of global leadership to communities of color regarding teenage pregnancy, social welfare and HIV/AIDS. From 1995-2001 she advised two U.S. Presidents while serving on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS.

“Many individuals won’t get tested under [any] circumstances because they feel they aren’t at risk or not at enough risk,” she said. “There are few communities that have institutions built into them as the black church is in our community. However, efforts on the part of our churches to help fight these diseases have to be more systemic.”

(BPT) - The new year is widely accepted as a time to start fresh, and every year people make resolutions to better themselves. For many, this means vowing to make lifestyle changes to improve how they look and feel. However, sticking to restrictive diets and intense workout programs can be difficult and not sustainable for most people. Before you get hooked by the annual flood of diet tips and gym promotions, focus on a few key areas to commit to a healthier lifestyle for 2013.

Consume whole foods

Adding more whole foods into your everyday diet is a natural way to obtain the nutrients your body craves without feeling like you're making a drastic change. One of the easiest ways to do this is by incorporating fresh juices into your daily routine. Whole-food juicing is a quick and easy way to get several servings of fruits and vegetables at once, making it a perfect on-the-go solution for those juggling hectic schedules. Simply toss whole fruits, vegetables, or a combination of both into a high-performance blender like a Vitamix, and then add ice. In seconds, you'll have a delicious, nutrient-packed beverage, plus the fiber from the whole foods to keep you full longer. A variety of recipes to suit any taste is offered at Vitamix.com, making eating more whole foods something you'll actually enjoy.

Add more exercise

It's not unusual for a person to drive from a desk job to the drive-thru at a fast food restaurant, and then go directly to the couch to watch television. It isn't surprising that lack of exercise is an issue for many Americans, and a sedentary lifestyle can lead to a number of health concerns, regardless of weight. Incorporating exercise into a daily routine is important and can have many health benefits. To begin living a more active lifestyle, experts recommend starting slowly and building up length and intensity of physical activity. You don't need to spend hours at the gym to reap the benefits of exercise; use the stairs, go for a walk, take a bike ride, or play with your dog or children to get moving and start looking and feeling better.

Rest up

Although jam-packed schedules make it seem like there aren't enough hours in the day, it's extremely important to set aside enough time to rest and recharge. Getting the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night allows for optimal mental and physical performance, and making sleep a priority can have significant impact on overall well-being. To enjoy the many benefits adequate sleep offers, adopt a bedtime routine at the same time each night. Avoid food and drink for 30 minutes prior to going to sleep and stay away from computers, televisions and other screens. Instead, enjoy a relaxing activity, such as reading or meditating, to help you fall asleep.

De-stress daily

Stress can cause many mental, emotional and physical health issues, and long periods of high stress can have debilitating effects. To avoid lasting health problems, learn to recognize stress and how to deal with it effectively. Despite your busy schedule, making time for yourself each day is important and can help you avoid severe stress problems. Whether it is taking a walk, playing an instrument, practicing yoga or even calling an old friend, do something you enjoy every day. It's also important to make sure you are getting enough exercise, sleep and proper nutrition to help your body deal with the physical effects of stress.

With a few adjustments to your daily activities, you can look forward to a happy, healthy new year and beyond.

You’ve probably heard expressions like “60, is the new 40.”  The truth is actually that anyone can be 68 going on 50. All you need is a motivational mindset. Then you, too, can start counting the calendar backwards at each birthday.

Beyond good diet and exercise— which are critical for anyone at any age— getting motivated is the key to aging well.  Here are five ways to adopt a motivational mindset, launch your own age rollback, and engage the world at any age:

1. Change your WOE to WOW ratio. There’s nothing more de-motivating than living in a world of WOE (which is an acronym that stands for What On Earth). The world of WOE is dark and consists largely of finding fault and blame. WOE is like a leech that sucks the life spirit out of you. Its opposite, WOW (which means Wonderfully Obsessed with Winning) infuses every moment with excitement about the world. WOW is that frame of mind that motivates you to fully embrace whatever you’re doing. No, you can’t get rid of WOE—it’s part of the human condition. But you can choose to minimize the presence of WOE and focus on WOW; the key is to become more aware of WOE’s presence and to consciously opt for WOW. Try it. Keep a notebook of how much time you spend in a WOE state versus a WOW state. Then set a goal to focus on WOW for 15 minutes as you start your day. Soon, it will become a habit, and you won’t even have to think about it.

2. Get curious. Many studies have shown that the more you flex your mind as you age, the healthier your mind will be. In addition to engaging in brain-cell building activities like puzzles, ask questions about how things work and why things are. Nothing motivates like a good question.  Find a headline story each day that you want to learn more about. Find a topic each week that you want to research through books or using online resources. Adopt the curiosity of a child. The more new things you learn, the more you’ll be motivated to discover new areas of interest.

3. Invest in the moment. It’s so easy to look back with regrets or nostalgia that we forget to see the joy of what’s happening in the present. Ditto for spending time gazing into the future with apprehension or fear. Try an experiment: every day, spend 5 minutes focusing on the here and now, and allow yourself to feel totally invested in whatever you’re doing, whether it’s work or play.  Be conscious that you’re in the moment.  When you get comfortable with that notion, expand the time you spend in the here and now each day.

 4. Let go and take a higher perspective. When you were younger, you were probably in the mode of striving for more— more money, more status, more security, or more attention. More anything. As you age, that pressure starts to diminish. But if you’re like most of us, you still likely cling to the notion that you’re in some kind of a race that you must win. Let it go! When you stop competing against others you’ll be motivated to appreciate those things that really matter and you probably already have.

5. Do things that put you in a good mood. Good moods don’t just happen. They come about from doing things that make us feel happy, things that we enjoy. When we were younger, it was easy to feel good because we weren’t shy about letting our hair down and having fun. You can recapture that habit now. Incorporate at least one thing a day into your routine that puts you in a good moo whether it’s taking a walk, completing a puzzle, or pulling out a board game or a deck of cards with friends. When you’re feeling good, you’ll likely be more motivated to try new things. And you can almost hear the clock ticking backwards.

Be aware that a motivational mindset doesn’t come overnight. However, the more receptive you are to it, the more you’ll enjoy waking up every morning— and flipping another page back on your internal calendar!

 Rob White is an author, motivational coach and storyteller. Visit him online at www.robwhitemedia.com.

Wallace is one of two nurses in the state to hold a sustainability position in a hospital

ANNAPOLIS— Charlotte Wallace, RN, a pediatric nurse and sustainability coordinator for Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), was awarded the Nursing Leadership in Environmental Health Award from the Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (MD H2E). Five Maryland hospitals and one nurse were honored for their environmental health achievements with awards at MD H2E’s fifth annual Environmental Excellence in Health Care Conference.

“I am grateful for the support for this program at Anne Arundel Medical Center. I am encouraged by the progress in sustainability as a practice that reduces occupational and environmental hazards, maintains quality patient care and reduces costs,” said Wallace.

Wallace is one of only two nurses in the state to hold a sustainability position in a medical system. She has implemented many environmental initiatives at AAMC, including money-saving recycling programs, a farmers’ market and the addition of birthing classes to help expecting parents implement environmentally friendly practices in the home.

"Charlotte's work in initiating and implementing green-friendly, waste and toxin reduction programs are truly leading edge approaches to sustaining environmentally healthy hospitals," said Joan Plisko, PhD, technical director of Maryland Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (MD H2E).

The MD H2E Nursing Leadership in Environmental Health Award is given annually to a nurse in Maryland who displays leadership and exemplifies excellence in environmental health and sustainability in health care.

Before we can stop any epidemic, we first have to recognize the magnitude of the disease. HIV is still a threat across the United States. And even though there are treatments to help people with HIV to live, longer than ever before, AIDS is still a significant health issue. Surprised? Get the facts:

What is HIV?

HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It’s similar to other viruses, such as colds and the flu, with one important difference—the human body cannot get rid of HIV. That means once a person has HIV, he or she has it for life.

HIV affects specific cells of the immune system (called CD4 cells). Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infection anymore.

There is no cure, but with proper medical care, the virus can be controlled.

What are the stages of HIV?

HIV is a progressive disease, meaning it advances or worsens over time. If a person is infected with HIV and doesn’t get treatment, it will eventually overwhelm his or her immune system and lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

The stages of HIV are:

Acute (Severe) Infection—Occurs as early as 2 to 4 weeks after infection (but sometimes as long as 3 months later); some people report flu-like symptoms during this time, but others have no symptoms at all. People with HIV are very infectious during this time, meaning they can pass the disease on to others. Symptoms can include night sweats, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, rash, fatigue, muscle aches, and ulcers in the mouth.

Clinical Latency (Dormancy or Inactivity)—After the initial infection, the virus becomes less active in the body, but is still present. This period can last up to 10 years (sometimes longer), and many people do not have any symptoms of HIV during the clinical latency (or dormant/inactive) period. However, they can still give the infection to others at this time.

AIDS—This is the last stage of HIV infection; the person’s immune system is badly damaged and he or she becomes susceptible to opportunistic infections (illnesses that attack weakened immune systems). Symptoms can include diarrhea, night sweats, fatigue, fever, chills, vomiting, and severe weigh t loss.

What is AIDS?

AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.  It is the final stage of HIV infection. People in this stage of the disease have badly damaged immune systems and are vulnerable to other infections, called opportunistic infections. These are infections that occur because of a weakened immune system. People are diagnosed with AIDS when they have one or more specific opportunistic infections, certain cancers, or a very low number of CD4 cells, which are important parts of the immune system.

People are generally diagnosed with AIDS when they have both a low CD4 count and one or more opportunistic infections.

How is HIV spread?

There is no cure for HIV, but you can prevent HIV infection. HIV is transmitted from one person to another:

By having sex, (anal, vaginal or oral) with a person who has HIV. HIV can be transmitted through blood, pre-seminal fluid, semen and vaginal fluid.

By sharing needles, syringes, or other injection equipment with a person who injects drugs and has HIV.

Through pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding. Women who have HIV can give the disease to their babies before or during birth or through breast-feeding after birth.

To reduce your risk of getting HIV:

Don't have sex at all (anal, vaginal, or oral).

Only have sex (anal, vaginal, or oral) if you are in a mutually monogamous relationship and you have both tested negative for HIV.

Use a condom every time you have anal, vaginal, or oral sex.

Do not share needles or other drug “works” (cotton, cookers, etc.) with anyone else.

Who is at risk for HIV?

Anyone can be infected with HIV. However, certain groups of people are disproportionately affected by HIV. This means that these groups have more HIV infections than other groups, even though the overall group size is small. In the United States, these groups are disproportionately affected by HIV: gay/bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM), blacks/African Americans, and Hispanics/Latinos. Women— including those who are pregnant— also face risk. Those who abuse intravenous drugs and other substances are also at high risk.

If you think you are at high risk for exposure, or you have sex partners who may be, you should be tested for HIV at least once each year.  Everyone between ages 13 and 64 should be tested at least once as part of routine health care.

Blacks/African Americans

Blacks/African Americans are the racial/ethnic group most affected by HIV. They represent approximately 13% of the U.S. population, but accounted for approximately 45% of all new HIV infections in the United States in 2006.   (Source: www.aids.gov)

ANNAPOLIS— Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) was recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) as a Gold-Level Fit-Friendly company for implementing programs to help employees eat better and move more.

“There’s no better benefit to offer our employees than helping them have healthier, longer lives,” says Chad Dillard, executive director of wellness programs at the hospital. “We are extremely honored and excited to be recognized by the American Heart Association,” added Dillard. Anne Arundel Medical Center was recognized for its initiatives in: offering employees physical activity support; providing/increasing healthy eating options on campus; promoting a wellness culture; and implementing at least nine criteria as outlined by the American Heart Association in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture.

Anne Arundel Medical Center has 50 percent of its staff participating in its “Energize” wellness movement. The program was developed by staff in 2011 with the simple goal of improving employee health. “Energize is part of our Vision 2020, Living Healthier Together, which starts with our health care teams becoming a role model for the community,” adds Dillard. To date, more than 1,400 employees participating in Energize have walked more than 190,000 miles and lost nearly 2,000 pounds.

According to the American Heart Association, American employers face increasing healthcare expenses and health-related losses in productivity that cost an estimated $225.8 billion a year. Many American adults spend most of their waking hours at sedentary jobs. Their lack of physical activity raises their risk for a host of medical problems, such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Employers face $12.7 billion in annual medical expenses due to obesity alone.

Part of the problem is that the rate of obesity among adults continues to grow. This could be a result of how much time Americans spend at work— an average of 47 hours per week, which is 164 hours more per year than a generation ago. The number of sedentary jobs among Americans has accelerated, too, rising 83 percent since 1950.

 Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) is part of Anne Arundel Health System. To lear more about AAMC, visit: www.askAAMC.org to learn more.