ADDRESSING THE STD EPIDEMIC AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN

Symposium at Congressional Black Caucus Conference to Feature 
Rep. Donna Edwards, Rev. Tony Lee, Dr. Donald Shell and Dr. Vanessa Cullins

Washington, DC — African Americans make up approximately 12 percent of the U.S. population, but, in 2007, they accounted for 51 percent of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) will bring together medical, legislative, and spiritual leaders during the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 39th Annual Legislative Conference on Friday, September 25, to discuss the root causes of the disproportionate effects of sexually transmitted diseases on African-American women and girls.

The panel will be moderated by Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD-4). Discussion will include the factors influencing these health disparities, as well as policy and advocacy initiatives that can provide commonsense solutions.

WHO: Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD-4) 
Dr. Donald Shell, Health Officer of the Prince George’s County Department of Health 
Rev. Tony Lee, Community of Hope A.M.E. Church in Temple Hills, MD
Dr. Vanessa Cullins, Vice President for Medical Affairs at PPFA
Ms. India Hay, Planned Parenthood of Metro Washington Teen Peer Educator

WHAT: The Cost of Silence: A Symposium on African American Women and Increase in STDs
    
WHEN:   Friday, September 25, 2009 
1:00 p.m. Event begins

WHERE:   Walter E. Washington Convention Center
    Room 209-A
801 Mt. Vernon Pl. NW
Washington, DC 20001