Biological Effects of AIDS in Minority Populations

In order to understand the biological impact of AIDS on minority populations, it is necessary to understand a bit of the sociopolitical realities that demarcate minority groups from the dominant cultural group in America. In particular, it is important to note that minorities tend to be economically and educationally disadvantaged populations. These depressing realities are consequent in a higher prevalence of some at-risk

behaviors for minority groups (Masen, Nobel, Lindsey, Kolbe, BanNess, Bowen, Drotman, & Rosenberg, 1988, pp. 261-328). High risk behaviors, according to Mason and associates include such behaviors as illicit intravenous drug use, prostitution, multiple sex partners, contraction of STD, and use of immunosuppressant drugs.

Intravenous drug use, prostitution (and therefore the likelihood of contraction of sexually transmitted disease) and other forms of drug use such as the use of immunosuppressant drugs tend to be engaged in by great numbers of urban minorities. For example, the contraction of AIDS through the sharing of needles and syringes, a process wherein there is a

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biological effects of AIDS on minority populations. Given the statistics just cited regarding the status of minorities with respect to two of the main avenues of AIDS transmission, an alarming picture begins to emerge. Minorities are contracting AIDS in numbers disproportionate to their numbers of the general population as a result of their disproportionate involvement in at-risk behaviors. The picture that emerges is that the biological effect of AIDS on minority populations is one of decimation. Perhaps most alarming is the fact that the picture shown so far is incomplete. In this regard, the discussion has focused on the contraction of AIDS by people who are either IV drug users and/or prostitutes. However, these people tend to be involved in relationships with others, not all of whom are themselves either IV drug users or prostitutes. This involvement can, and often does, lead to pregnancy. And, in this regard, it has been estimated that 65 percent of the babies born with AIDS in the United States are born to women involved with an IV drug user (Des Jarlais, Friedman, & Stoneburner, 1988, pp. 151-158). What can be seen from the foregoing is that the decimation attributable to the biological effects of AIDS on minori
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