Special Health Focus » Introduction

In this section of the website, we felt it would be of greater service to our community and the community at-large to focus on special health issues like chronic illnesses like HIV, hypertension, diabetes, and cancer. We will not limit ourselves only to these important health topics and issues. We intend to explore and focus on other pertinent community health issues over time. Of course, we would welcome your suggestions and ideas!

Please note that our goal is to inform, educate, and provoke thought so that one can lead a healthier lifestyle. Hopefully, contents of this section and the website as a whole will provide one with ‘virtual’ supports and increase connection to our community. Our initial focus is on HIV and Women of Color because sexual transmission of HIV is now the greatest threat to women. In the past, women were absent in early HIV/AIDS clinical and social research, policy decisions and program planning. According to Miguelina Ileana Leon, a Health Policy Consultant, “Women were largely invisible during the first decade of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in terms of the attention of policy makers, researchers, service providers and public health officials.” *We hope the contents of this section make things visible and more importantly, it helps!

* New York State AIDS Advisory Council. Women in Peril – HIV & AIDS:  

  The Rising Toll of Women of Color. December 2005