In observance of World AIDS Day 2010, the Arkansas Minority Health Commission will host Act Aware: Let's Talk About HIV/AIDS in Arkansas, a public forum from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday (Nov. 30) at the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, 2301 S. University Ave., Little Rock.

Legislative recommendations will be announced by community partners seeking to encourage the Arkansas General Assembly to take action toward improving the public health and welfare of the nearly 6,000 HIV/AIDS consumers in the state. Panelists will represent national, regional, and state public health advocates, as well as grassroots perspectives.

"Arkansas provides zero state funds for HIV/AIDS care and prevention," said Dr. Idonia L. Trotter, executive director of the Arkansas Minority Health Commission. 

"While the state does maintain the HIV/STD/Hepatitis C section within our state health department and has HIV-positive individuals on its Medicaid rolls, no state dollars are dedicated to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program or any other HIV-specific care or prevention program," Trotter said, quoting from the Arkansas State Healthcare Access Research Project (SHARP) report released in February 2010.

"This places Arkansas at the bottom nationally in terms of state contributions to HIV care," Trotter continued. "This must change in the best interest of the public health and welfare of all Arkansans."

World AIDS Day, established in 1988, is observed on Dec. 1 and provides governments, national AIDS programs, faith-based organizations, community organizations, and individuals with an opportunity to raise awareness and focus attention on the local and global AIDS epidemic. 

On Wednesday (Dec. 1) the Arkansas Minority Health Commission will partner with the Little Rock School District to host the Act Aware School Tour 2010. Shawn Linton of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will make an appearance at J.A. Fair High School and Cloverdale Middle School. A balloon release will follow the J.A. Fair morning event in which 2157 balloons will be released to honor those lost to AIDS in Arkansas through June 2010. Balloon releases are also scheduled for Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and at the Dallas County Health Unit in Fordyce.

Grammy Award winning gospel artist Dorinda Clark-Cole (of the Clark Sisters) and special guests Chosen, Southwest District Youth Choir, Harmony, Detrick Jones and Chosen Praise and the UCA Judah Chorale will perform from 7-9 p.m. at the Act Aware World AIDS Day Gospel Celebration at Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 501 W. Ninth St., Little Rock.

Tickets are free and must be reserved in advance by calling the Arkansas Minority Health Commission at (501) 686-2720.