Persons Living with HIV/AIDS

Certain populations are much more likely to contract HIV/Aids than others. African Americans makeup only about 13 percent of the population of the United States but represent almost half of those living with HIV or AIDS. Racial disparities are especially pronounced among young people. Blacks comprise 69 percent of HIV-positive youth ages 13-19, even though they make up only 17 percent of the population. Latinos face three times the HIV infection rates as whites. Men who have sex with men represent 2 percent of the U.S. population but account for 61 percent of all new HIV infections. Racism, poverty, incarceration, and other social factors contribute to a heightened risk. Adequately serving this population involves:
  • Appropriately screening high-risk populations
  • Promoting personal behaviors that protect individuals from risk
  • Provide access to condoms and contraception, especially to youth
  • Raising public awareness about the social, political, and economic conditions that exacerbate HIV/AIDS
  • Working to eliminate social inequities that negatively affect the young and people of color 

Resources

HIV/AIDs Basics,  Aids.gov
HIV/AIDS, Publichealth.org
Organizations

Florida HIV/AIDs Advocacy Network
AIDS United
National Cooperative Agreement Partners Funded by HRSA to provide technical assistance to health centers and communities. Several focus exclusively on farmworkers, homeless or other special populations.

For more information, contact Erin Sologaistoa at [email protected]