Hiv and Aids in the Black Community
Running head: HIV/AIDS in African Americans 1
HIV/AIDS in
November 15, 2012
Research, Definition, and Statement of HIV/AIDS African-Americans are the ethnic group most affected by HIV/AIDS. Ironically african-americans represent 14% of the population of the United States , but represent 44% across the gender line. African-american men represent 70% of HIV infections among the ethnic group, however african-american women are also highly at risk of HIV infection. Indeed they have a rate of infection that is 15 times greater than the rate for caucasion women (HIV among African-Americans, 2012). Most African-american women (85%) are infected with HIV through heterosexual sex, often with partners, who claim to be straight but in fact regularly engaged in homosexual sex (Hunter & King, 2005).
Causes of HIV/AIDS There are at least three major causes for the existence of the higher rate of HIV infection among African-american women than their caucasion counterparts. First there is a higher-than-average rate of HIV infection for African-american men than caucasion men.Next African-american men who engage in homosexual activity are more likely than white men to also engage in homosexual activity while having heterosexual partners (Hunter & King, 2005). Finally, safe sex practices are less popular among African-american men and women, primarily believed to be the result of socioeconomic and educational factors, including poverty, lower educational status, lack of accss to preventative education, and lack of access to healthcare (Cleveland, 2008). These cumulative causes magnify the vulnerability of African-american women to HIV infection and the consequent development of AIDS.
Alternate Solutions The first solution should focus on the creation of public awareness campaign for safe sex practices among African-american men and women through the socioeconomic perspective. Safe sex practices are almost entirely the result of education about
HIV/AIDS in
November 15, 2012
Research, Definition, and Statement of HIV/AIDS African-Americans are the ethnic group most affected by HIV/AIDS. Ironically african-americans represent 14% of the population of the United States , but represent 44% across the gender line. African-american men represent 70% of HIV infections among the ethnic group, however african-american women are also highly at risk of HIV infection. Indeed they have a rate of infection that is 15 times greater than the rate for caucasion women (HIV among African-Americans, 2012). Most African-american women (85%) are infected with HIV through heterosexual sex, often with partners, who claim to be straight but in fact regularly engaged in homosexual sex (Hunter & King, 2005).
Causes of HIV/AIDS There are at least three major causes for the existence of the higher rate of HIV infection among African-american women than their caucasion counterparts. First there is a higher-than-average rate of HIV infection for African-american men than caucasion men.Next African-american men who engage in homosexual activity are more likely than white men to also engage in homosexual activity while having heterosexual partners (Hunter & King, 2005). Finally, safe sex practices are less popular among African-american men and women, primarily believed to be the result of socioeconomic and educational factors, including poverty, lower educational status, lack of accss to preventative education, and lack of access to healthcare (Cleveland, 2008). These cumulative causes magnify the vulnerability of African-american women to HIV infection and the consequent development of AIDS.
Alternate Solutions The first solution should focus on the creation of public awareness campaign for safe sex practices among African-american men and women through the socioeconomic perspective. Safe sex practices are almost entirely the result of education about
References: Cleveland, J. (2008). Heightened national rsponse to the HIV/AIDS crisis among African Americans. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from:http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/aa/resources/slidesets/pdf/HPLS_Cleveland_1.pdf HIV among African Americans. (2012). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/aa/Hunter,K & King, J (2005). On the down low; a journey into the lives of ‘striaght’ black men who sleep with men. New York: Random House Digital