• African Americans account for a growing share of AIDS diagnoses over time, rising from 25% of cases diagnosed in 1985 to 49% in 2003.
• African American women accounted for two-thirds (67%) of new AIDS cases among women in 2003;white women accounted for 15% and Latinas 16%.
• Among men who have sex with men (MSM), African Americans have been particularly hard hit. A study in 6 major U.S.cities found that almost a third (32%) of African American MSM ages 23–29 were already infected with HIV, compared to 7% of white MSM
• Deaths among African Americans with AIDS remained fairly stable between 1999 and 2003, but declined by 18% among whites over this period.
Fast Facts courtesy of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
Learn more about these topics by clicking on the links.
What is HIV?
How can I tell if I'm infected with HIV?
Where can I get tested for HIV?
What kind of treatment is available?
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Listen to Snapshots: African Americans & HIV/AIDS online.
Recent headlines have announced the prevalence of HIV infection among black women (who are 23% more likely than white women to contract the disease) and the possibility of unethical AIDS drug testing in Africa. Closer to home, AIDS is the leading killer of young African American adults in Georgia, while whites in the same age group die most often in accidents. Metro Atlanta is home to some innovative programs to combat the epidemic, including AfriSalsa, a Latin dance troupe that encourages healthy physical encounters with the motto "switch partners all night and never get infected"; clean needle programs; services for "AIDS orphans" and programs to develop a network of teen peer counselors.
Women and Young People
African American women accounted for a greater proportion of new AIDS cases among African Americans overall in 2003 (36%) than white women did among all whites (14%). African American women accounted for two-thirds (67%) of new AIDS cases among women in 2003; white women accounted for 15% and Latinas 16%.
P.A.U.S.E.
In an effort to educate African-American men who have sex with men (AAMSM) about the importance of practicing safer sex P.A.U.S.E was created, which stands for Promoting Awareness of HIV Using Safer Sex Education. P.A.U.S.E. is supported by agencies working together to promote awareness of the risks of having unprotected sex and the dangers of HIV, are in the process of developing an advertising and public relations campaign that will speak directly to the target.
Afrisalsa
Metro Atlanta is home to some innovative programs to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic, including AfriSalsa, a Latin dance troupe that encourages healthy physical encounters with the motto "switch partners all night and never get infected".
Down Low
Extensive media coverage and several popular books have publicized the “Down Low” or “DL,” which refers to the practice of ostensibly straight black men having sex with other men. There are no official studies about how extensive the practice is or how it impacts the HIV/AIDS crises among African Americans.
Journey to Wellness Community Health Communications Network
The Journey To Wellness Community Health Communications Network (CHCN) is a collaborative partnership initiative of BioTechnical Communications, Inc.
