National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in Minnesota

Minnesotans asked to get educated, tested, treated and involved in this year's observance

Today, African Americans and African-born people in Minnesota become infected with HIV more often than any other racial or ethnic group, reflecting a national trend. As part of an effort to combat that trend and raise awareness, the seventh annual observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness and Information Day (NBHAAD) will be held Wednesday, Feb. 7.

Year after year, surveillance reports across the country continue to show that HIV infection rates continue to escalate at an alarming pace among African American men and women.

Although African Americans make up around 13 percent of the population of the United States, they represent 49 percent of the total AIDS cases reported in this country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Every day, 72 African Americans are infected with HIV in the U.S.

"HIV infection is certainly not an equal opportunity disease when it comes to our African American and African-born communities," said Peter Carr, director of the STD and HIV Section, Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). "Our figures for Minnesota are similar to the nation's, particularly when we look at African American and African-born women."

Overall, in Minnesota, African American and African-born populations continued to have higher rates of infection compared to whites in 2005. Statewide rates for African Americans were nearly 11 times greater than whites and rates for African-born communities were 26 to 37 times greater than whites.

"With these particular communities, the issue is much deeper than simply looking at individual risk behaviors, health care access and knowledge," said Carr. "In order to make any impact on disease rates, we also have to address a host of economic, social and cultural factors."

In a report published last month by the National Minority AIDS Council " the premier national organization dedicated to addressing HIV/AIDS within communities of color " many of the underlying causes were identified that contribute to higher rates of infection among African Americans.

Contributing factors cited in the report included limited incomes, lack of insurance, housing conditions, homelessness, cultural stigma, risk of incarceration, and marginalized social status. These factors all impair program effectiveness and play a part in higher infection rates.

"It's important that we make HIV prevention programming and HIV testing opportunities as economically and culturally accessible as possible to these communities," said Carr. "The STD and HIV Section at MDH currently funds 22 programs through 19 agencies aimed at preventing the spread of HIV in adults and young people of all races who inject drugs and/or engage in sexual behaviors that transmit HIV."

Mitchell Davis, Jr., Director of the Office of Minority and Multicultural Health, MDH says, "HIV/AIDS affects us all, regardless of gender, racial or ethnic identity, income, or even where we live."

"Unfortunately, the impact of the epidemic is disproportionately high among certain communities -- particularly African Americans and other minority populations," Davis said. "Two decades after the first reported case, the face of HIV/AIDS has changed. In this country, it was once thought of as a white, gay, male disease, but the current face of the illness is that of a person of color, generally Black. If men were the initial victims, it has now befallen women, especially Black women, who represent the fastest-growing group affected."

Last October's Essence Magazine (a magazine geared to African American women) provided startling statistics of women living with HIV or AIDS: African American women (64 percent) Caucasian women (19 percent), Hispanic women (15 percent), Asian women (1 percent), and American Indian women (less than 1 percent).

The Office of Minority and Multicultural Health at MDH provides capacity-building funding to eight community based organizations to impart knowledge and skills that affect individual abilities and organizational systems (including community) in the fight to eradicate HIV/AIDS.

Health officials emphasize that there is no cure or vaccine against HIV infection. Latex condoms are highly effective in preventing the spread of HIV. Testing for HIV and early treatment of infected persons will help them to live longer and healthier lives.

Information about HIV is also available from the Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP) AIDSLine, (612) 373-2437, 1-800-248-2437. MAP AIDSLine offers statewide information and referral services, including prevention education, HIV risk assessments, HIV testing and referrals to HIV testing sites, as well as community resources and prevention programs that serve the African American and African-born communities.