African-Americans
Updated May 2005
In the United States, African-American populations have the highest
HIV/AIDS case rates of any racial or ethnic group. African-Americans
accounted for roughly 49% of all newly diagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS
(43,171) in 2003 and yet, according to the 200 U.S. Census comprise
roughly 12.3% of the U.S. population.1 African-Americans
face a distinctly increased risk for HIV infection and in 2003,
comprised 42.4% (172,278) of all people living in the United States
with HIV/AIDS.2 In addition, the three leading causes
of HIV infection among African-American men are sexual contact with
other men, followed by injection drug use, and heterosexual contact.
Yet, often African-Americans (like other communities) do not acknowledge issues relating
to HIV infection such as drug use and homosexuality openly, resulting
in increasingly high-risk behavior and effective preventative HIV
education. The following organizations and publications propose
sources of information that address the specific needs of African-American populations combating HIV/AIDS.
Organizations
African-American Planning Commission, Inc. (AAPCI)
AAPCI's programs target women and children living under the imminent threat of domestic violence, families and persons living with HIV/AIDS, homeless populations, the elderly, disadvantaged children, low-income families and individuals, and the community at large.
American Red Cross
www.redcross.org/services/hss/hivaids/afam.html
The American Red Cross offers an African American HIV Education and Prevention Instructor Course, designed by African-Americans for African-Americans. The Talking Drums, a new leader's guide and workbook for building HIV prevention skills in African-American communities, can be ordered online, as well as other Red Cross resource materials.
Black AIDS Institute
The Black AIDS Institute is the first Black HIV/AIDS policy center dedicated to reducing HIV/AIDS health disparities by mobilizing Black institutions and individuals in efforts to confront the epidemic in their communities. Their motto describes a commitment to self-preservation: "Our People, Our Problem, Our Solution." It is a non-profit, charitable organization based in Los Angeles, California.
Gay Men of African Descent
Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD) provides education, advocacy, health and wellness promotion, and social support for gay men of African descent. GMAD programs include HIV prevention programs for young adults and men who have sex with men, and capacity building assistance to groups that mobilize community support for HIV prevention services targeting black gay men.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
www.naacp.org/progra m s/health/health.shtml
NAACP's Health Division informs and educates the African-American community about health care quality and access, disease prevention, health care professions and training, and youth and elderly issues. The Health Division's goals are to organize new NAACP branch health committees, develop national health education initiatives, expand community outreach, and sponsor collaborative programs with various national and local health groups.
National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS (BLCA)
The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS conducts policy, research and advocacy on HIV/AIDS to ensure effective participation of their leadership in all policy and resource allocation divisions.
Publications
Gilbert, DJ, Wright EM. African American Women and HIV/AIDS: Critical Responses. Praeger Publishers. 2002.
Goosby, E, Appel A. Living with AIDS/HIV: The African American's Guide to Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Hilton Publishing. 2002.
Levenson, J. The Secret Epidemic: the story of AIDS and Black America. Pantheon Books. 2004.
Smith KY, Brutus A, Cathcart R, Gathe J Jr, Johnson W, Jordan W, Kwakwa HA, Nkwanyou J, Page C, Scott R, Vaughn AC, Virgil LA, Williamson D. "Optimizing care for African-American HIV-positive patients." AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2003 Oct 17(10): 527-38.
Williams PB. "HIV/AIDS case profile of African Americans: guidelines for ethnic-specific health promotion, education, and risk reduction activities for African Americans." Family Community Health. 2003 Oct-Dec 26(4): 289-306.
1 Center for Disease Control Prevention. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report 2003. 15 (6).
2 Center for Disease Control Prevention. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report 2003. 15 (20;Table 10).