WASHINGTON (AP) — The NAACP has developed a manual to help the leaders of black churches to talk to their congregations about HIV and AIDS. It’s a recognition of the impact the disease has on black Americans.

The nation’s largest civil rights organization released the manual and 61-page activity guide at its July convention in Texas.

The national health director for NAACP, who helped oversee the creation of the manual, says it makes sense for the NAACP to be involved in the discussion of HIV and AIDS.

Religious leaders who helped write the manual say black churches have been reluctant to talk about HIV and AIDS despite the fact black communities have been disproportionately affected by the disease.