HIV and AIDS

AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN AND HIV/AIDS

The impact of HIV/AIDS in the African American community has been devastating. HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death among African American men and women between the ages of 25 and 44. Despite the recent advances in HIV treatment, young people of color and African Americans are still dying from AIDS at higher rates than any other race. African Americans represent an alarmingly large proportion of all AIDS diagnoses in the United States, and an even greater proportion of all HIV diagnoses. The disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on African Americans and all people of color warrants enhanced interventions that address the perceptions of disease prevention in all African Americans and the unique realities and context of the lives of Black women.

Facts About African American Women and HIV/AIDS

	HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the virus that causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).
	African Americans represent an estimated 12% of the U.S. population yet make up almost 37% of all reported AIDS cases.
	AIDS has resulted in more deaths among African American women than any other cause (e.g., heart disease, cancer).
	African American women represent the highest percentage (62%) of all reported AIDS cases among women.
	The 1998 reported rate of AIDS cases among African Americans was 66.4 per 100,000. This was more than two times greater than the rate for Hispanics and eight times greater than the rate for Whites.
	CDC statistics indicate that the HIV/AIDS rate among all women has risen from 7% of total AIDS cases in 1985 to 23% of all cases in 1998.
	Researchers estimate that 240,000 to 325,000 African American women, about 1 in 160, are infected with HIV.
	Among African American women, injection drug usage accounts for 44% of all AIDS cases reported since the epidemic began in 1982, with 37% due to heterosexual contact.
	Heterosexual contact is at present the greatest risk factor or mode of transmission for African American women who acquire HIV sexually.

HIV/AIDS Resource Information:

CDC National HIV/AIDS Hotline - Trained information specialists answer questions about HIV infection and AIDS in English (1-800-342-AID) and provide TTY service for the deaf (1-800-243-7889). The Spanish service (1-800-344-7432) offers STD information in addition to information about HIV/AIDS.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention. (www.cdc.gov/hiv/)

Kaiser Family Foundation. “The Untold Story: AIDS and Black Americans: A Briefing on the Crisis of AIDS among African Americans,” March 16-17, 1998. HIV Insite. National Survey of African Americans on HIV/AIDS.