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​Communities Affected...

...by HIV/AIDS in the United States:

African Americans
Most affected racial/ethnic group. For compa-rison, 8x more new cases than whites! Why? Because they tend to have sex within their race, which increases the concentration of the virus. Several socioeconomic issues result from the high poverty rate among this community, which leads to failure to receive treatment.
INJECTION DRUG USERS
In these situations, the main problem is the sharing of needles through which the virus is transmitted. 1/3 of AIDS cases stem from these instances. It is difficult to collect accurate data on this group, since most will not reveal that they use these drugs or are unaware they they are HIV+.
WOMEN
Most common way for them to contract the virus is through heterosexual contact.
In sexual abuse cases, the infection risk increases due to significant trauma. ~14% contract the virus through injection drugs.
LATINOS
Language is one of the main reasons why Latinos struggle to get the correct treatment and testing necessary.
This community also faces socioeconomic difficulties due to their poverty rate. Their infection rate is 3x that of whites.
GAY/BISEXUAL MEN
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are the most affected community - they are only 2% of the entire population in the United States, yet they make up half of people who are currently living with HIV/AIDS. They were one of the first cases, leading to the initial name GRID (Gay Related Immune Deficiency).
YOUTH
13-24 year-olds make up 20% of newly diagnosed cases each year. They contract it either though drug use or sexual experimentation. Peer pres- sure, carelessness, and no precautionary measu-rements are usually the catalyst.

...by HIV/AIDS Globally:

Sub-Sahara Africa
It has the highest population of HIV+ people - 70% (~25.8 mill).

Healthcare: most workers are positive and there is a chronic labor shortage and resources.

Education: children are impacted by the virus - dropping out to either take care of their family or themselves. Some are orphaned too and are forced to take on jobs to earn a living.
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Life expectancy: it has fallen in many of those countries, straining the economic development and productivity.
MSM (Men Who Have Sex W/ Other Men)
They are 19 times more likely to contract HIV compared to the general population in the low and middle income communities. Stigma and discrimination in many countries prevents them from getting proper help.

At least 90% in the Asia-Pacific region do not have access to treatments or care because of laws.

Malawi and Zambia punish MSM with up to 14 years imprisonment. Health care services for MSM in those countries are unreachable. 
Women
HIV/AIDS affects women very disproportionally. They are more than half of all people living with HIV/AIDS (not counting kids).

62% of all new adolescent infections are among girls.
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Women are twice as likely to become infected than their male partner.
Youth
Out of all children who needed treatment only 23% got it.

Children usually receive it through mother-to-child transmission. There are drugs that reduce the risk of transmission to ~1% - issue is that only 73% of pregnant women with HIV in low to middle income countries receive that treatment.

This is an issue, since most children will carry several burdens like taking care of their family, becoming orphans, and having the psychological pressures of having a life threatening illness in them from the day they were born. 
Injection Drug Users
1 in 10 new infections are due to sharing needles. In Eastern Europe and Central Asia 4/5ths of people with HIV are involved with drug use. Globally, ~20% of all drug users have HIV. Many drug users are not aware that they carry HIV, so in reality the percentage is a lot greater. The reason the exact number is not known, is because injection drugs are forbidden in most countries, so many do not seek medical treatment or get tested, which worsens the HIV issue.

Sex Trafficking & HIV​

Violence
Trafficked individuals often face violent sex and rape.

There is a greater possibility of cuts and tears, which allows for the exchange of blood, increasing the possibility of contracting HIV.
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Drugs
Injection drugs are often used to cope with the stress and hardship.

Trafficked individuals are also forced to take drugs.

These drugs are often taken with shared needles which increase the risk for HIV contraction.
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​Healthcare
Trafficked individuals are often forced to migrate to a different country, where they are undocumented and are often kept from receiving access to health services.

Trafficked women and sex workers tend to be stigmatized, marginalized, and criminalized, which affects their social and economic welfare and their access to health services.

Children & HIV

HIV Transmission
Vertical Transmission: HIV is passed on during pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding.

Sexual Transmission: Marriage under 15 with parental consent is legal in many countries, putting children at risk of HIV contraction.

Injection Drugs: Children are more likely to share needles, and often struggle to receive any medical care for drug abuse.
Treatment Challenges
​Most children who live with HIV will lose family members, experience shock, and be subject to stigma and discrimination from society.
Because of their weakened immune system, children with HIV are even more susceptible to illnesses.
Medication & Education
Only 49% of women continue to take HIV medication while breastfeeding.

62% of women only take medication during pregnancy and delivery.

Breastfeeding accounts for half of all vertical trans-missions.

Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM)

​MSM & HIV/AIDS
  • Initially (USA): HIV infections were discovered in among young gay men
  • Later (globally): spread & found not just in young men
  • Numbers rose from 4% to 54% in 2011
  • MSM can involve anal sex - is the highest risk sexual behavior for contracting HIV
  • MSM is very stigmatized in many countries
  • makes it challenging to carry out relevant HIV prevention and awareness campaigns
Challenges Responding to HIV Among MSM:
Criminalization
  • Colonial era: many laws were implemented in several countries concerning the banning of same sex relations
  • In 5 of these countries MSM is punishable by the death penalty
  • It's difficult to provide resources to MSM when such sexual relations are criminalized
Discrimination from Authorities
  • Apparent when those living with HIV try to access testing or treatment facilities
  • Results in a challenge to reach authorities about HIV prevention campaigns
Lack of Research
There is a need of more ___ of HIV:
  • awareness
  • knowledge
  • impact
More research on the impact of HIV on MSM, especially in developing countries, will lead to a better understanding of it and make it much easier to take appropriate action.
HIV Prevention That Works:
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  • make high-quality condoms
  • produce water-based lubricants
Not available and accessible to MSM?
  • current condoms may break
  • if oil-based lubricants are used, they can damage condoms
Effective means of reaching out to MSM:
  • successful programs aimed at MSM
    • empower this group & actively involving them
      • fight prejudice & change public attitudes towards them & introduce “safe spaces” where MSM can meet, talk openly, & receive sexual health services
  • websites
    • health advisors in chatrooms
    • display animated characters for HIV education
    • encourage users to be open about their HIV-status
The Way Forward:
Providing HIV and AIDS services to those who are most at risk:
    • can be hugely beneficial to a whole country’s approach to HIV and AIDS
    • governments and international donors must therefore cease to neglect the HIV epidemic among men who have sex men

African Americans

1) Fast Facts
  • Blacks are the most affected ethnic group by HIV
  • Rate of new HIV infection is 8x that of whites based on population size.
  • Gay and bisexual men ages 13 to 24 account for most new infections among African Americans
2) New HIV Infections
  • African Americans: 46% of all new HIV infections in 2013
  • Are 43% of the total number of people living with HIV in the USA, despite only making up 13% of the population

Between 2009-2013, African Americans accounted for:
  • 63% of all HIV infections among women
  • 67% of all HIV infections among children below 13 years old
  • 42% of all HIV infections among males​

Most likely to be infected through:
  • unprotected sex with a man
  • by injecting drugs
  • heightened levels of poverty
  • lack of access to adequate healthcare
  • stigma surrounding MSM
  • young black/African American MSM (age: 13 through 24) are most affected
    • 2010: >2x as likely to be infected with HIV as young MSM of any other ethnic group
3) Challenges to Prevention
  • ​HIV (prevalence)
    • African Americans face a greater risk of HIV infection with each new sexual encounter
      • Prevalence of HIV in their communities and because they tend to have sex with partners of the same race
  • Lack of Awareness
    • In 2011, ~73,600 HIV-infected African Americans population were unaware of their HIV status.
  • Socioeconomic Issues
    • direct and indirect factors that increase the risk for HIV infection & affect the health of people living with and at risk for HIV
      • limited access to high-quality health care, housing, and HIV prevention education
  • Stigma
    • Stigma, fear, discrimination, homophobia, and negative perceptions about HIV testing can also place too many African Americans at higher risk.
    • Many at risk for HIV fear discrimination and rejection more than infection and may choose not to seek testing.
4) HIV Treatment Among African Americans
  • Only 46% of African Americans living with HIV are on antiretroviral treatment...
  • ...Moreover, only 35% have achieved viral suppression, where HIV is reduced to a low level in the body
  • Less than 30% of African Americans living with HIV on ART were adhering to it, compared to 40% of people of other races
5) A Look to the Future...
  • ​Medication Availability
    • Antiretroviral treatment (ART) is not a cure for the disease, but it slows down the growth of the virus and effectively extends the lifespan of an infected patient.
  • Campaigns
    • Various ones done to raise awareness & encourage African Americans to test for HIV
      • “Testing Makes Us Stronger,” “Take Charge,” “Take the Test”


It’s vital that access to healthcare is increased for African Americans with regards to other health conditions and opportunistic infections.
Now You Know
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