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HIV Focus:
The African American Community

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that "At some point in their lifetimes, an estimated 1 in 6 African American men and 1 in 32 African American women will be diagnosed with HIV infection."

These statistics, for the purposes of this article are not meant to scare you if you are a member of the African American community, rather they are meant to alert you and make you aware of the menace of HIV among African Americans. Also, so you can take the steps yourself and educate your friends so that you and they don't become one of the statistics.

African Americans are the racial and ethnic group most affected by HIV with new infections being 8-times that of the white population per capita.

To follow are some observations as to why the African American population is so widely affected, some things to be aware of so you can protect yourself from becoming infected and then some resources and where to find information specific to the African American community dealing with HIV.

Why

-Awareness of HIV status and late diagnosis.
Individuals that are unaware of their HIV status or are diagnosed late or later while having the disease can unknowingly spread the disease among the community. A 2010 study conducted by the CDC found that almost 85,000 people infected with HIV in the African American community were unaware of their HIV status.

-Prevalence within the community.
Starting out with a high percentage of community members with HIV increases the probability of infection to others. People of the same race/ethnicity, in this case African American, tend to have sex with the same race and ethnicity so that increases the risk of infection with a new sex partner.

-Socioeconomic contributing factors.
Lower socioeconomic status, which is prevalent in some African American communities, can have a negative effect on education and access to adequate healthcare. Lack of insurance and ability to pay for care and treatment can impede everything from initial diagnosis through long term continuing care.

-Discrimination and stigma.
While stigma and fear of HIV and the diagnosis of being HIV positive may not be any more prevalent than in other races and ethnicities, it still exists and is no less either. Also, members of the African American community are no stranger to discrimination of all types. This is a major challenge to early diagnosis, acknowledgement and treatment.

-Injected drug usage.
According to a 2011 CDC Surveillance Report, injected drug use counts for more HIV infections among African Americans than any other ethnic group. It's also the third most likely route to HIV transmission. Injected drug use can directly transmit through the sharing of needles and secondarily or indirectly be transmitted through being sexually involved with an IV drug user.

What

If you are African American, what you should do and need to do to help protect yourself from contracting the HIV virus isn't different from other races or ethnicities. Things like practicing safe sex with your partner, not using a dirty or shared needle if you are a drug user, getting tested and knowing your partner's status are all essential.

What is different though, because you live in a community that has such a high incidence of HIV, is the level of awareness that you need to have.

For starters, your awareness needs to begin with you. If you haven't been tested and think you might be at risk - no question - get tested. If you have a partner, get tested with him or her. Doing that gives you peace of mind of your partner's status too.

Educate not only yourself but close friends and family members who might not be as careful and knowledgeable as you and may also be at a higher risk.

Getting tested and being educated can help stop the spread of HIV to you and can also mean you not spreading it to others.

Where

The high incidence of HIV in the African American community is not hidden to government, service organizations and state and local health departments and therefore, funding has been allocated to help persons with HIV in various ethnic groups and specifically the African American community.

Of course, African Americans are able to access the help and resources available to anyone with HIV but if you would like to seek out programs, services and information that is more specifically geared toward the African American community, here are some ideas of where to start:

General and educational materials

-Begin with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.CDC.gov. For HIV in general go to www.cdc.gov/hiv/. For information specific to the African American community, go to www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/racialethnic/aa/index.html. There you'll have access to podcasts, factsheets, funding information, statistics and much more.

-The Black AIDS Institute. 1833 West 8th Street #200; Los Angeles, CA 90057-4920; 213-353-3610; www.blackaids.org

-National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS. 215 W. 125th Street; Suite 2; New York, NY 10027; 212-614-0023; www.nblca.org

-National Minority AIDS Council. 1931 13th Street NW; Washington, DC 20009; 202-483-6622; www.nmac.org

Treatment specific and local information

-Contact your local AIDS Service Organization (ASO). ASOs will have local and community based information to point you in the right direction.

-Contact your State or local HIV hotline. Try other sources for information first (if a non-emergency) but sometimes hotlines will have local information and sources specific to the African American community.

Faith-based information

-The Balm in Gilead. 4108 E. Parham Rd.; Richmond, VA 23228; 804-644-2256; www.balmingilead.org

-The Black Church and HIV (NAACP). 410-580-5619; www.theblackchurchandhiv.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This magazine is intended to enhance your relationship with your doctor - not replace it! Medical treatments and products should always be discussed with a licensed physician who has experience treating HIV and AIDS!