HIV/AIDS Disparities in African Americans, Case Study Example

The HIV/Aids has been a global human epidemic that has yet to be cured. While the epidemic has since been managed in most parts of the world, Especially the United States, there are certain populations that appear to be particularly prone to virus than others. In 2011, there were 15.8 cases per 100,000 population. However, among African American there were 60.4 cases per 100,000 population.

Background Information       

African American make up about 13% of the population in the United States. However, almost half (47%) of those living with HIV/Aids in the country are of African American origin. Currently, African American account for the highest number of individuals living with the HIV virus and deaths related to the disease than any other racial group in the United States (Augustine, 2008).

This trend is not only evident in the overall population, but also in women. 64% of the women diagnosed with HIV/Aids in the country are of African American origin. 66% of all HIV/Aids infections attributed to heterosexual contact involves individuals of African American origins.  49% of all HIV/Aids related deaths in 2010 were individuals of African American origin. The number of HIV related deaths among African Americans decreased by 8% between 2008 and 2010.

African American Males

42% of all men diagnosed of HIV were of African American origin. Male to male contact accounts for the majority (72%) of all new HIV cases in African American men. Only 19% of the new cases are attributed to heterosexual contact.

African American Females

The most common mode of transmission in African American females was through heterosexual contact. Inn 2011, 89% of the diagnosed cases in African American women were attributed to heterosexual contact. African American females are less likely to contract the disease through injections.

Significance of the Problem

The 2015 federal budget included $30.4 billion to be directed to domestic HIV and AIDS treatment. This was 2.3% increase from $29.7 billion that was allocated in FY 2014. This budget has been allocated for various uses in the fights against the virus. 57% of the kitty is directed to care and treatment, 10% is directed to cash and housing assistance, 9% directed to research and 3% is directed to prevention techniques and programs (US Department of HEalth and Human Services & Health Resourcs and Services Administration, 2014). Despite the fact that the funding HIV/AIDS programs receive is not sufficient, it is important that the most affected segment in the population takes into account the costs associated with the epidemic. Furthermore, there is need for funding to be directed to populations with the highest prevalence. There is a growing health gap between African Americans and other racial groups. This is evident in the manner in which the HIV/AIDS epidemic has affected the American demography

Outcomes Related to Current Care

Current HIV/AIDS programs have made significant progress in curbing the number fo new infection realized every year. The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) was providing antiretroviral (ARV) treatment to 7.7 million American; 4.5 million of these individuals were under direct support while the 7.7 million benefited from crucial technical assistance to other partner countries (AVERT, 2014). The program has also supported HIV counselling and testing for over 14 million pregnant women. The program provided ARV treatment to 749,313 pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

Factors Contributing to HIV/AIDS disparities in African Americans

The current disparity in HIV/AIDS within the United States stems from a conglomerate of social and economic issues. The most significant root cause for the disparity in HIV/AIDS in black American is racism. This is because racism is tied in with a number of other social and economic issue that contribute to the high disparity in HIV/AIDS in African Americans.

Poverty: almost 25% of all African American live below the poverty line. Individuals livening ion property are more likely to commit crime, especially crime that is drug-related. Such individuals are more likely to live in unstable neighborhoods experiencing high crime rates. Poverty plays a huge role on the abuse of alcohol which is a contributor of unemployment and unstable relationships. Individuals in unstable relationships are more likely to engage in unsafe or unprotected sex. This is especially evident in cases where the one of the partners, usually female, are afraid of insisting on the use of condoms for fear of endangering the stability of the relationship.

Individuals living in poverty are less likely to gain access to proper medical care. This means that they are more likely to have late detections or diagnoses of HIV/AIDS (Augustine, 2008). Furthermore, African American men engaging in sexual activities with other men are less likely to undertake antiretroviral therapy when compared to other racial groups.

Feasibility

This study is in line with two HIV/AIDS prevention programs that particularly target the African American Population. The Ryan White HIV/Aids Program has increasingly focused on the African American population as they formulates the highest number of new diagnoses of the disease. In 2012, 45.8% of all their clients were of African American origin. The CDC is another major interest group. Between 2009 and 2011, 54.8% of its funding had been directed to the African American population (Office of HIV/AIDS & Infections Diseases Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, & Department of Health and Human Services, 2012).

References

AIDS.gov. (2014, July 11). Addressing teh Cost of Care. Retrieved from AIDS.gov: https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/just-diagnosed-with-hiv-aids/find-care-and-treatment/addressing-cost-barriers/

Augustine, J. (2008, October 1). Understanding Disparities in the HIV Epidemic. Retrieved from AdvocatesforYouth.org: http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/publications-a-z/524-understanding-disparities-in-the-hiv-epidemic-

AVERT. (2014, June 17). HIV & AIDS in USA. Retrieved March 18, 2015, from Avert.org: http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-usa.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013, April 16). HIV Cost-effectiveness. Retrieved from CDC.gov: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prevention/ongoing/costeffectiveness/

Office of HIV/AIDS & Infections Diseases Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, & Department of Health and Human Services. (2012). An Inventory of HIV Prevention Programs Serving African Americans funded by the U.S. Departmet of Health and Human Sciences. Washington: Department. Retrieved March 18, 2015, from https://blog.aids.gov/wp-content/uploads/HHS-African-American-HIV-Prevention-Program-Inventory-Report-FINAL.pdf

US Department of HEalth and Human Services, & Health Resourcs and Services Administration. (2014). Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. Rockville: US Department of HEalth and Human Services. Retrieved March 18, 2015, from http://hab.hrsa.gov/abouthab/populations/africanamericansfs12.pdf