Jackson Free Press

The White House Office of National AIDS Policy selected 14 cities for community discussions to develop and implement a national HIV/AIDS strategy. Among the stops is Jackson on Monday, Nov. 16. "We hope to get as much community input as possible on what needs to be done to end the epidemic of AIDS in this country," said Robin Webb, one of the event organizers.

The Obama administration has tasked the office to coordinate efforts to reduce HIV infections, emphasizing prevention, help coordinate patient care and treatment, and work with organizations in a global effort.

Monday's town hall is from 6 to 8 p.m.at the Jackson Medical Mall (350 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The staff will only speak for about 10 minutes, Webb said.

Organizers will hold a workshop from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Cabot Lodge Millsaps (2375 N. State St., 601-948-8650), focusing on issues for the town hall and organizing, and will include presentations from the Southern AIDS Coalition and others. A get-together at 5 p.m., Nov. 15, and a breakfast at 10 a.m., Nov. 17, round out the agenda.

Two areas of concern are HIV prevention and care for patients, Webb said. "We're still seeing the same number of infections every year: 56,000" nationwide, adding that "early treatment not only saves lives … it's good business," because it keeps costs low.

"The biggest (issue) for us in the South is health-care disparities," for people of color and rural areas, he said. "More people are dying of AIDS in the South than in any other region." In Mississippi, more than 9,000 people have the virus, with fewer than half getting treatment. Most at risk in the state are African American men, he said.

A Brave New Day, Webb's Jackson-based network of HIV-positive individuals, is offering hotel and transportation scholarships to people living with HIV who want to come to Jackson for the meetings and need help with the costs. The organization gives Mississippians priority, but they urge everyone to apply.

To register for the town hall meeting, sign up at http://www.cmpinc.net/ONAP. To register for other events, call 601-922-0100 or 866-922-0100. Indicate if you need financial assistance. For additional info, contact Webb (601-842-2339; [e-mail missing]) or Rick Davis (601-259-2274; {encode="[email protected]" title="[email protected]"}).