Life
Combating the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the African-American Community
As a community, we should do our part to educate ourselves. Where we complicate things is not learning and not practicing safety. We must protect ourselves because statistically, Black men and women are found to be having unprotected sex with others w…
May 18th was deemed as the National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day. It is known as an annual observance to recognize and honor all people who are working together to find a safe and effective HIV vaccine. It is also a day to educate our communities about the importance of preventive HIV vaccine research. It’s no secret in Black communities across the United States that, HIV/AIDS is killing our people at alarming rates.
According to Blackaidsday.org, Blacks account for more new HIV infections, AIDS cases, people estimated to be living with HIV disease, and HIV related deaths. Even though Blacks make up 13% of the US population, we account for about half (49%) of the people who get HIV and AIDS.
Blacks don’t live as long as people of other races and ethnic groups with AIDS, due to a multiple level of barriers (i.e. poverty, stigma, etc.). Blacks have more deaths due to HIV/AIDS than any other racial/ethnic group. That should tell you a lot about what we are doing and pretty much sums up what we are not doing.
As a community, we should do our part to educate ourselves. Where we complicate things is not learning and not practicing safety. We must protect ourselves because statistically, Black men and women are found to be having unprotected sex with others who have HIV/AIDS or other STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), and/or are sharing drug needles with someone who does.
Blackaidsday.org also states that we are at higher risk for HIV/AIDS because we are unaware of our sexual partner’s rick factors, we contract more STDs, and live in poverty.
They have found that many Blacks are at risk for the HIV infection due to a fear stigma of knowing their status, yet, choosing to hide their high-risk behavior; rather than seeking counseling and testing. Thereby, causing them to continue to be at risk of contracting and passing it on to infect others of the same community.
We have to put a stop to this already out of control epidemic before the African-American race becomes extinct.
Source: African American News & Issues
