Conference

HIV in the African American Community

---

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a growing epidemic in the United States. One population that is significantly affected by HIV is African Americans. African Americans comprise 12% of the total U.S. population but account for 46% of people living with HIV and 45% of all new cases of HIV in the United States. African American men account for 65% of all new HIV cases while African American women are 15 times more likely than their white counterparts to become infected with HIV. HIV is the 7th leading cause of death among all African Americans, and the 2nd leading cause of death among African Americans aged 25-44. African Americans have several risk factors that contribute to the higher rates of HIV infection such as high-risk sexual activity, injection drug use, high rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), socioeconomic status, lack of awareness, and stigma.