ST. LOUIS (ABP) -- For the first time, the nation's largest African-American religious body has corporately addressed the HIV/AIDS crisis.

AIDS awareness and prevention figured prominently on the agenda for the annual meeting of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. Meeting June 18-22 in St. Louis, leaders of the 7.5 million-member group said 45,000 National Baptists were participating in the gathering.

Nationwide, African-Americans constitute roughly 49 percent of new HIV/AIDS diagnosis. HIV infection is the United States' leading cause of death for black women aged 25-34, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

"The numbers dictate we have to pay more attention and take ownership," Evelyn Mason, a health organizer for the denomination, told the Associated Press. "This disease has taken ownership of us."

Mason said the NBC -- like many other African-American church groups -- had previously avoided the subject of AIDS because of its association with homosexuality and drug use. In addition to discussing AIDS, a health fair featured workshops and information on hypertension, diabetes, obesity, prostate cancer and prescription drug costs.

Organizers also planned to hold a forum to address 3,000 black youths on the topic of HIV prevention.

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