The HIV crisis in Washington, D.C. and Brooklyn, New York has been discussed all over the national media, but the continuing crisis in Detroit has barely gotten a mention. The problem is staggering, with over 50 percent of Detroit’s zip codes reporting HIV prevalence rates at three percent or higher, and one of those zip codes clocking in at six percent — on par with Uganda.
Detroit leaders have called the HIV epidemic a “crisis” and an “emergency.” They have also said that Detroit needs to become a “squeaky wheel” to get more attention to the virus’ impact on the city.

Now former White House staffer Van Jones is adding his voice to the growing chorus concerned about the Detroit epidemic. When presented with state statistics about HIV in Detroit, and asked if the federal government should be responding to it as it has in D.C. and Brooklyn, Jones said:
“Yeah, that sounds like a very serious problem that requires federal attention. If it gets worse, they could send in blue helmets from international relief sources.”
Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh has received an invitation from the White House to attend a special lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride month mixer later this month. No word on whether the first openly gay Detroit council member plans to ask President Barack Obama for federal assistance in the battle against HIV in Detroit.
http://michiganmessenger.com/38764/v...eral-attention