Get Treated: We need you to survive.

When it comes to the health and longevity of Black communities, one of things we feel is most important, is ensuring that all options have been considered. Treatment includes speaking with a health care professional about the various options available, which is not necessarily taking medications or starting anti-retroviral therapy right away. It all starts with having a conversation with an individual who knows HIV and/or AIDS and your health portfolio. We want what is absolutely best for you, your health and future.

We want those living with HIV or newly testing positive to first and foremost get their CD4 (i.e. t-cell) count and viral load (i.e. replications of HIV in the body). These two sets of numbers are important in determining when and if you should seriously consider taking medications.

In the early days, there were many reasons why individuals did not want to take the medicine or drugs - the nasty side effects, etc. Now, given the advance in modern medicine, many people are living longer with HIV and holding off an AIDS diagnosis. There are also those who have an AIDS diagnosis, who after starting taking medication, saw their health improve tremendously.

The truth of the matter is - we do not have a cure at this time! So we have to do what works - build strong relationships with our health care providers and start meds when we feel comfortable and have as much information as possible to make the right decision.

We do not discount or devalue alternative medicine either. We know that a compilation of herbs and a modification in our eating habits and behaviors can also assist in improving the quality of life for those living with HIV. At this time, we will not endorse herbs as an exclusive cure for HIV and/or AIDS.

There are many doctors in our communities; Black, Brown, Red, Yellow, and White who will say that if we would have come to them earlier, the quality of life years could have been expanded or increased. Treatment for HIV, AIDS, Diabetes, Depression, and the array of illnesses disproportionately impacting Black communities can be treated - if we act responsibly.

We have lost too many talented individuals, those known and unknown, to HIV and AIDS. Imagine where Black communities could be if treatment had been sought early by many of them. No family in Black America can claim they are not associated with someone living with HIV - the challenge is how safe someone feels to tell those they love. We are burying too many young Black men and women today to AIDS related complications, and we're doing it quietly and shamefully. We can stop this NOW!

Since this epidemic began, more than 240,000 Blacks have died from HIV/AIDS - let's do the math. 240,000 divided by 31 years (1981) equals 7,742+ per year divided by 365 days in a year means 21 Black people die per day to this epidemic. Do you know someone represented in these numbers?

Now is the time for treatment to become real for many. We need Black people to survive and let National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day 2013 be the day you decide to have a conversation with your doctor about getting tested and should you test positive for HIV, have an additional conversation about when and if to start treatment.