EDUCATE: HIV/AIDS & AFRICAN AMERICANS - PART II

In completing some research, the CDC found specific risk factors and prevention barriers that can help to explain the disproportionate HIV/AIDS rates in the African-American community. Two of the primary risk factors are described below. Please note that race or ethnicity alone is NOT a risk factor for HIV infection.

RISK FACTOR #1: LACK OF AWARENESS OF HIV STATUS

In a study of Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) recently conducted by the CDC, it was discovered that 46% of Black MSM were HIV-positive, as compared to 21% of white MSM and 17% of Hispanic MSM. Furthermore, of the Black MSM who were positive, 67% were unaware of their HIV infection, as compared to only 18% for White MSM. Many times Black MSM who do not identify themselves as gay have heterosexual women as wives and girlfriends. The men engage in sexual contact with other men, do not get tested (therefore are unaware of their status), and unknowingly pass along the infection to the women in their lives, translating into the extremely high rate of infection among Black women.

RISK FACTOR #2: SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES

The CDC has found that the rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are highest among African-Americans. In 2005, Blacks were about 18 times as likely as whites to have gonorrhea and about 5 times as likely to have syphillis. Due in part to the physical changes that STDs cause, the presence of certain STDs can increase a person's chances of contracting HIV by 3-5 times. In addition, if someone has both HIV and other STDs, his/her chance of spreading HIV to others has also increased dramatically.

HIV continues to be a growing problem among African-Americans. These posts help to highlight the need for further education, testing sites, and simple honesty among sexual partners. The only way for us to combat this disease is through both individual and collective responsibility. You must make the choice to be careful in your sexual activity, but there must be an opportunity for individuals to gain information about HIV as well as receive testing. There must also be resources available for those who are already positive and are aware of their status, providing access to medication and treatment, helping to increase life spans and decrease the rate of transmission.

For further information on risk factors and barriers to prevention, check out www.cdc.gov/hiv.