A State of Emergency: HIV/AIDS impact in the African American Community.
By: Christopher Chauncey Watson

Within the past decade rates of persons living with HIV/AIDS in the United States has steadily increased to epidemic proportions. We can attribute this increase partially to amplified efforts around awareness and testing within communities. Additionally, to some extent, we know more because we are looking more effectively. HIV/AIDS continues to affect the African American community at disproportionate rates—more than any other racial and ethnic group in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control, African Americans account for 51% of newly reported infections annually, but this population only makes up 12% of the total US population 1,2. This disparity may exist due to various barriers including inadequate access to healthcare and stigma associated with this population. African Americans are most commonly affected through heterosexual intercourse with HIV positive persons or those at high risk of HIV, intravenous drug use, or sexual contact with other men2.The estimated annual HIV/AIDS diagnosis rate among black males was 124.8 per 100,000 population and 60.2 per 100,000 among black females, both higher than the rates for all other racial and ethnic populations2. An impact of this magnitude constitutes a declaration for a state of emergency within the African American community to combat this disease.

Unprotected sexual encounters with multiple partners of known and unknown HIV- and risk-statuses remain the most common form of transmission. Higher rates of various Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) are also prevalent within the African American community. The presence of certain STDs can increase one’s chance of contracting HIV2. Intravenous drug use also contributes to the transmission of HIV/AIDS within the African American community, as most persons tend to have higher and riskier sexual practices while under the influence of illegal drugs and/or alcohol2. In 2007, nearly 24% of African Americans were living in poverty3. Studies have found a significant nexus between higher incidence of HIV/AIDS and lower income. Limited access to high-quality healthcare, housing, and HIV/AIDS prevention and education programs both directly and indirectly increase the risk factors for HIV infection.

A significant barrier in overcoming the HIV/AIDS epidemic is overcoming the stigma around HIV/AIDS. Research has demonstrated that persons affected with HIV/AIDS received forms of stigma from family and friends as well as government and medical communities. In addition, the African American community has specific ideologies surrounding communal perceptions and peer acceptance. Black churches serve as the nucleus for the African American community. Within the church, topics such as homosexuality, sex before and outside of marriage, drug use and HIV/AIDS status are taboo, which fosters a sense of denial within individuals that are engaged in such activity. Community beliefs and perceptions in the African American community continue to fuel prejudices related to certain transmission activities. Addressing these pervasive community norms would assist researchers in designing additional and more effective prevention research studies.

We must work together to overcome the epidemic. Advocacy begins with you! Start today by getting tested and knowing your status. For a list of HIV testing sites in your area please visit: http://www.hivtest.org. Abstinence remains the most effective form of prevention against HIV/AIDS, however a reality check tells us that abstinence is not always possible for everyone. Use condoms whenever engaging in sexual experiences. Using a condom effectively greatly reduces the risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Know the facts and involve yourself in local prevention research. Researchers are constantly attempting to find new and innovative ways to make prevention messages more culturally competent but this requires input from the community.

To involve yourself in research activities, please visit:www.hptn.org or www.clinicaltrials.gov. Research has lead to new drug discoveries and behavioral interventions to help everyone lead healthy and active lives for individuals who are working to prevent HIV/AIDS and who are living with HIV/AIDS. If you are affected, seek medical attention, together you and your medical provider can begin to develop ways that will begin to empower you to live healthier. If you are not sure how to prevent HIV/AIDS, find out how to stop the force of the epidemic. The call of action is now and imminent.

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Racial/ethnic disparities in diagnoses of HIV/AIDS-33 states, 2001–2005. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep.2007;56(09):189-193. www.cdc.gov. Accessed

2. CDC. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 2007. Vol. 19. US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC: 2009:1–63.

3. US Census Bureau. Population estimates: entire data set. www.census.gov/popest/datasets.html.

4. HIV Stigma and Social Support among African Americans. Frank H. Galvan, Eric G. Bing, E. Maxwell Davis, and Denedria Banks AIDS Patient Care STDS.Author manuscript; available in PMC 2010 March 3

Christopher Chauncey Watson addresses rising health disparities among African Americans working in the field of public health. He continues to direct his attention to combating health disparities among African Americans nationally through his groundbreaking research. Receiving his undergraduate degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Biology, his research experience covers diseases from HIV/AIDS to cervical cancer. Christopher Chauncey is currently pursuing his Masters in Public Health in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from The George Washington University where he currently serves as a research scientist located in Washington, DC. Christopher can be reached atsphccw@gwumc.edu.