HIV/AIDS having larger impact in Black community

• Scott LaMar
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

Airdate: Tuesday, February 15, 2022

HIV/AIDS can impact anyone, but Black or African American communities are more affected than others.

In 2018, Black community members represented 42% of new HIV diagnoses and 41% of overall people living with HIV. In Pennsylvania, the number of Black people living with HIV jumps to 47%, according to AIDSVu. While Black men make up the highest number of new HIV diagnoses, with 79% of transmission happening from sexual contact there are also disparities for Black women, as the rate of new infections is 13 times that of white women and four times that of Latina women.

HIV/AIDS doesn’t get the kind of attention it once did, especially since treatments to help those infected live full and healthier lives were developed. That could be one of the reasons more people don’t get tested for HIV and know the treatment options.

We’ll learn more on Tuesday’s Smart Talk from Brice Williams, part of UPMC’s REACCH Program through a project called, GLO-Harrisburg and Anthony Hall, Community Engagement Specialist, GLO-Harrisburg.