Prevalence of HIV/AIDS Hispanics & African Americans

People of color in the United States are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, in part because healthcare providers and educators do not understand the cultural values of these groups and do not provide them with adequate services related to HIV/AIDS (HIV/AIDS 13-14). Through December 1998, 108,874 male and 32,733 female African-Americans had died from AIDS-related causes. Among the cumulative reported cases of HIV/AIDS in African American males during that time, either adults or adolescents, 38 percent were among men having sex with other men and 35 percent were from injecting drugs, seven percent were from heterosexual contact, and 21 percent were from other forms of exposure. Among the African-American females, 44 percent got the disease from using injectable drugs, 37 percent from heterosexual contact, and 19 percent from other causes. As of 1999, HIV was the leading cause of death among African-American males and females aged 25 to 44. These figures are despite the fact that 90.4 percent of African-American females and 89.1 percent of African-American males reported having been taught about HIV/AIDS in school and 75.3 percent of African-American females and 70 percent of African-American males reported having discussed the disease with their parents or other adult family members, as of 1997.

Among Latinos through December, 1998, 59,033 males and 11,901 females had died of AIDS-related causes (HIV

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ponsibility to children (Land 358). The messages also need to be presented by a person who matches the race and gender of the target audience. Culturally indigenous professional caregivers and culturally sensitive messages and interventions also work best for this group. Since the primary route of infection among African-Americans is from drug use, programs should aim at treating the addictions as well as HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, since substance abuse compromises treatments and raises the risk or morbidity and mortality. Family treatment approaches are more likely to succeed with African-Americans, treating the family as a whole to help medication compliance and lower high-risk behavior. Since most African-Americans prefer family caregivers, these peopleÆs needs also need to be addressed. Latinos are at high risk for several reasons: levels of acculturation and isolation; culture and gender roles; attitudes towards sexual behavior; and lack of access to services by Spanish-speaking providers (Land 357). Drug use, coupled with high-risk sexual behavior and lack of knowledge about HIV/AIDS transmission contribute to the high infection rate among Latinos. Many Latina women seek help only once the symptoms of
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