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STREET WIZE, OUR CALL TO ACTION FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUTH:
In the United States, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is a health crisis for African Americans. At all stages of HIV/AIDS-from infection with HIV to death with AIDS-blacks (including African Americans) are disproportionately affected compared with members of other races and ethnicities.
- According to the 2000 census, blacks make up approximately 13% of the US population. However, in 2005, blacks accounted for 18,121 (49%) of the estimated 37,331 new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the United States in the 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting.
- The 185,988 blacks living with AIDS in the 50 states and the District of Columbia accounted for 44% of the 421,873 people in those areas living with AIDS
- African American Youth were disproportionately affected by HIV infection, accounting for 55% of all HIV infections reported among persons aged 13-24
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WHY DO WE ENCOURAGE CONDOM USE & HIV TESTING TO THE DC AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUTH?
- Black women are most likely to be infected with HIV as a result of sex with men who are infected with HIV. They may not be aware of their male partners' possible risk factors for HIV infection, such as unprotected sex with multiple partners, bisexuality, or injection drug use. Sexual contact is also the main risk factor for black men. Male-to-male sexual contact was the primary risk factor for 48% of black men with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2005, and high-risk heterosexual contact was the primary risk factor for 22%.
- Research has shown that a large proportion of young people are not concerned about becoming infected with HIV. Adolescents need accurate, age-appropriate information about HIV infection and AIDS, including how to talk with their parents or other trusted adults about HIV and AIDS, how to reduce or eliminate risk factors, how to talk with a potential partner about risk factors, where to get tested for HIV, how to use a condom correctly. Information should also include the concept that abstinence is the only 100% effective way to avoid infection.
1. CDC HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 2004. Vol. 16. Atlanta: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC: 2005:1-46. |
NEED TESTING? 202-543-9355
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