HIV/AIDS: impact on the African American community

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has had a devastating impact on the lives of African Americans. In the United States, it is estimated that almost half of all cases of HIV infection in men occur among black men and almost 70% of the cases in women occur among black women. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which results from HIV infection, has become a leading cause of death of African Americans between the ages of 25 and 44. Denial regarding how the disease is spread, particularly among heterosexuals, and stigmatization about the disease continue to be barriers to effective prevention campaigns within African American communities. Aggressive cultural and ethnic-specific educational campaigns, focusing on prevention, are needed to curb the current spread of HIV within this population.