Mar 6 5:31 PM

Black women and the HIV/AIDS burden

by The Stream Team @ajamstream

A woman gets an istant HIV/AIDS test on June 5, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

2013 Getty Images

Every 47 minutes a woman tests positive for HIV and odds are she’s black. African Americans make up roughly 65% of all new HIV/AIDS cases among women. A number of factors place black women at increased risk but one significant source in some communities are black men released from prison. Stigma, poverty and negative perceptions about HIV create a cycle that researchers say contributes to an epidemic in the black community. We will look at ways some are working to break the cycle.

On this episode of The Stream, we'll speak to:

Linda Scruggs @iamlhscruggs
Director, Ribbons Consulting Group
ribbonconsultinggroup.com

Lisa Fager @LisaFager
CEO, Free Mind Communications
industryears.com

Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick
Medical Director, CARE Center at United Medical Center
huffingtonpost.com/dr-lisa-fitzpatrick/

Luvvie Ajayi @RedPumpProj
Co-Founder, Executive Director The Red Pump Project
theredpumpproject.org

What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

View the story "AIDS among African American women" on StorifyAIDS among African American womenStorified by AJAMStream· Thu, Mar 06 2014 13:15:34African Americans are the group most affected by HIV, infected at a rate 8 times that of whites. accounting for 44% of all new HIV infections, or eight times the infection rate of whites. African American women in particular are at high risk, with nearly 65% of new HIV infections among women. HIV/AIDS-related illness is now the leading cause of death among black women ages 25-34. This chart shows the prevalence of HIV in different communities.cdc.govSome groups are attempting to draw attention to the issue. In an effort to raise awareness about the impact of HIV and AIDS on women and girls, the Red Pump Project launched the Rock the Red Pump campaign, encouraging women to wear red heels on March 10th, AIDS awareness day.TheredpumpprojectMany have addressed issues contributing to the epidemic, including stigma surrounding talking about being HIV positive and the issue of criminalization. In many states, it is either a felony or a misdemeanor for an individual who knowingly has HIV or AIDS to engage in sexual intercourse with someone without disclosing their status.Linda Scruggs addresses the importance of safe sex, disclosure and support. Linda Scruggs, Altarum Institute, on Why It's Important to "Get to Zero"altaruminstituteSome HIV-positive bloggers turn to social media to chronicle their experiences, aiming to combat stigma and inspire others to speak out.Justin's HIV Journal: Justin and husband Phil ADOPT sonJustin B. Terry-SmithAnother blogger interviewed individuals in the community who help those with HIV.HIV In Rural Communities Part 1PozLifeOfPatrickSome Stream community members contributed their thoughts.@AJAMStream I think there should be a greater focus on prevention #HIV from spreading. Too often one individual has infected many.Mikail Mannan@lisa_fletch @AJAMStream Sadly so, in my profession the majority that I've seen come from unstable homes. Where education is not a priority.Guil Vsq

Attention

Black women and the HIV/AIDS burden

Related

Find Al Jazeera America on your TV

Get email updates from Al Jazeera America

Top Posts

Editor's Picks

Get email updates from Al Jazeera America

WATCH

Your World This Morning

Your World This Morning

Al Jazeera America News

Al Jazeera America News

Al Jazeera America News