AIDS statistics and the risk for minorities

Abstract

Analysis of the AIDS case data for the United States reported to the Centers for Disease Control reveals quite different risk group profiles for minorities and for whites. A much higher percentage of minority male AIDS cases are heterosexual, the ratio of bisexual to homosexual cases is two to three times higher, and IV needle use is a greater risk factor in minority populations. Among women and children with AIDS, 75% and 82% respectively are minorities. Whites at risk for AIDS tend to be concentrated in the gay community but blacks at risk for AIDS are dispersed throughout the entire community. As a result, AIDS education programs aimed a gay populations do not reach most of the minority populations at risk. AIDS prevention programs need to take this fact into account.