AIDS in Urban Black America

AIDS in Urban, Black America

THE AIDS EPIDEMIC IN URBAN, BLACK AMERICA

Most people think of the AIDS epidemic as something that happens only in Africa, and they do not realize how many people in this country must struggle with the disease. The problem with AIDS in this country is not confined to one gender, age group, sexual preference, or race, but urban, black communities do have a much larger number of AIDS cases than other populations. The purpose of this paper is to discuss this issue and interlock three specific issues that deal with this epidemic. There are three specific points that are hypothesized in this paper:

The first hypothesis is that this problem affects families, economies, and communities that are largely urban and black, in that the effects of the AIDS virus and deaths from it devastate much of what is needed to keep these areas alive.

The second hypothesis is that the government is ignoring much of what causes the problem, and by ignoring it there are fewer individuals who are helping with the problem, simply due to a lack of awareness.

The third hypothesis is that teachers and other educators can do more to help these individuals in the way of curricula and education programs if they are allowed to do so and have an awareness of the problem

All three of these issues will be explored to help determine the validity or invalidity of the hypotheses. These issues will be examined in the literature review and discussed in the data analysis. This will be done in order to help show the seriousness of the issue and the difficult points that must be studied. In this way, others will be able to see the effects that AIDS is having on these families and communities, and what can be done to help alleviate some of the problems that are important but have not yet been dealt with thoroughly.

Chapter Two will review the literature that deals with the AIDS epidemic in all three areas - the problems that communities face, the lack of government intervention, and the help that could be provided by educators. Reviewing just one of these areas would not provide enough information for a complete understanding of the problem and what could be done about it, or what is not being done about it. There is a great deal of available literature about the topic and it would prove unwise to ignore one or more parts of the true issue.

Chapter Three will concern itself with the methodology that will be used to analyze the data, since an understanding of how the data is looked at and studied will help make sense of the information collected. The data that comes from the literature review and from information gleaned from experts in the field will largely be used to study the issue. This type of methodology will help to indicate the issues that are found in the literature of others, as well as the opinions of those that are experts in studying the issue of AIDS in urban, black communities and how it is becoming near epidemic proportions.

Chapter Four will then analyze the data that was collected through a review of the literature. The literature review may provide a great deal of competent and interesting information, but without an analysis of this, there would not be a point to the collection of it. The analysis will provide an understanding of the information received and will also look at whether the hypotheses presented earlier were valid or invalid based on the literature reviewed and the information from experts.

The fifth and final chapter will present conclusions about the issue at hand, as well as what has been discovered about the topic and what the researcher has learned about the issue and the hypotheses that were presented. By discussing what was learned by the researcher, conclusions can more easily be drawn and information that would not necessarily have come to light can be shown. This is due to the fact that all researchers have biases about a particular issue and therefore they often do not take into account everything that could be learned or understood about a particular issue. These biases can come to light in learning more about something, and it is important that the researcher provide this information in the study for the benefit of those that might utilize that study in their work in the future.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

It is unfortunate for black individuals, but AIDS is increasingly becoming a disease that is found to be much more common in blacks. These individuals currently make up 50% of all of the new infections of AIDS being discovered in this country (Whitaker, 2001). It is also unfortunate that black individuals in this country have not yet completely come to grips with this issue or fully understood it. It is a health-care crisis and because most individuals are ashamed and secretive about their problems with AIDS, or about a family member with AIDS, entire communities are being jeopardized because of the AIDS epidemic that is taking place in them. There is so much misinformation available about AIDS and black individuals are often uncertain about everything that they need to know and need to do not only to protect themselves but to live the longest life possible if they do contract the virus (Whitaker, 2001).

There has been a great deal learned about how to treat AIDS, and even more learned about its detection. There is so much information available about prevention and protection, that it would seem that black individuals would be seeing reduced rates of the virus. However, black individuals are the one group that is seeing a strong rise in AIDS, and this is changing what the public originally assumed to be the typical AIDS victim (Whitaker, 2001). It was originally assumed that homosexual white men were the ones who dealt with the AIDS virus. Everyone else appeared to be relatively safe from it and it was touted as a disease belonging only to homosexual white men and not to other groups. It has been over 20 years since the AIDS issue was first detected, and the individuals that are contracting AIDS and the typical AIDS victim has changed dramatically (Whitaker, 2001).

AIDS first began to sweep to the nation in the early to middle 1980s. There were 200,000 new infections reported each year and 60% of these belonged to white individuals who were primarily male (Whitaker, 2001). Because of the concern among homosexual men and this disease, many of those in the homosexual community promoted early detection and the use of condoms so that the disease would not spread. Many of their efforts have been very successful and the rate of infection in homosexual white men has gone down sharply (Whitaker, 2001).

HIV infections in general have gone down, and individuals are now becoming infected with the AIDS virus at the rate of about 40,000 people per year (Whitaker, 2001). This would seem to be a great leap forward for many individuals because it is much better than the 200,000 individuals who were being infected in the 1980s each year. However, there is a high concentration of these new infections in the urban black communities. Out of the 40,000 infections that occur each year, over 50% of these are in black individuals and therefore AIDS is now being touted not as a homosexual white man's disease, but as a black disease (Whitaker, 2001).

Statistics about this are somewhat important. In 1998, AIDS was found to be the leading cause of death in black individuals who were between the ages of 25 and 44 years old (Whitaker, 2001). Out of cases of AIDS reported among women, 64% belonged to black women (Whitaker, 2001). Pediatric AIDS is also a concern for many of these individuals, and two-thirds of all of these reported cases belonged to black children who were under the age of 13 (Whitaker, 2001). When one looks at the larger picture and not just at this country, it is easily seemed that AIDS is truly becoming a black disease. Two-thirds of the infections of the AIDS virus in this world are on the continent of Africa, which is primarily black. Last year, 17 million people in Africa died of this disease and it is becoming increasingly easy to see how many individuals believe that this is primarily a black disease at this point (Whitaker, 2001).

It has been said that this epidemic is taking advantage of individuals in this country that are the most vulnerable. Some of this has to do with information that these individuals should have access to but do not, but there are also fewer psychological and socioeconomic resources for these particular individuals (Whitaker, 2001). These are needed not only to combat the disease but also to change the types of behaviors that these individuals engage in that lead to AIDS infection.

In more of the poor urban neighborhoods, AIDS is truly an epidemic for black America. However, these individuals are not the only blacks who are getting the virus. It is not easy to explain is why AIDS is so widespread in the black community and it is even more difficult to categorize particular individuals. There is not one particular type of person or one specific place that is seen as the most important issue to look at where AIDS is considered. In Alameda County California, for example, 60% of the AIDS cases that are reported belong to black individuals (Whitaker, 2001). Officials in that County have actually declared a state of emergency so that they can address the issue and try to determine what it is that they need to do. These individuals, as well as doctors in the area, have indicated that middle-class individuals, those that are poor, young or old, can contract the disease, and that these distinctions are not relevant anymore (Whitaker, 2001).

Any individual who is sexually active is at risk for the disease and must know how to protect themselves. There are other reasons other than basic sexual activity that contribute to the AIDS virus as well. Intravenous drugs and homosexual activity, especially with more than one partner, has also spread HIV infections. Dirty needles that are used for intravenous drug use make up 35% of the AIDS infections in this country, and men who have become infected with the virus and then choose to have unprotected sexual relations with both other men and with women are also helping to spread the disease to communities that previously saw little of it (Whitaker, 2001).

It is somewhat difficult to chart the reasons for AIDS infections in black communities because the relationships in these communities are often tangled and rather complex. It is a much different problem that it was when homosexual white males were the only ones who basically contracted the disease. It is largely difficult to lump many of the causes of AIDS in black America into one or two particular areas based on the fact that many individuals who might have unprotected sexual relations with an individual of the same-sex, such as in prison, do not consider themselves gay or bisexual (Whitaker, 2001). However, these individuals contract the virus at a much higher rate and when they spread it to other individuals it is often without knowledge that they have even contracted the disease.

The black AIDS epidemic is definitely growing in this country but what one thing has actually made it occur so strongly is hard to define. Unfortunately, despite the painful and debilitating effects that AIDS has not only on the individual who contracts it but on the family, the economies, and the communities, it is also obvious that preventing and treating it has not been things that have largely been discussed in black communities (Whitaker, 2001). Many individuals are ashamed or embarrassed if they have contracted the disease or if they think that they might have contracted the disease. It would seem that most believe that going to a doctor and being tested for AIDS implies some kind of an inappropriate behavior on the part of the individual (Whitaker, 2001).

However, this is not always true and some individuals may wish to be tested based on the fact that they believe a partner has cheated and possibly has contracted the virus. There are many reasons why individuals would want to be tested and there are many relatively innocent individuals who receive the disease from others in various ways even when they assumed that the other individual was safe and healthy. Since AIDS takes some time to show up and make the body sick, someone can contract the disease several years prior to actually showing any symptoms (Whitaker, 2001). If this individual is promiscuous during that time it is quite possible that he or she will spread the AIDS virus to a great many individuals before realizing that he or she has the virus.

Discrimination against homosexual individuals is another reason why many people choose not to seek treatment or prevention strategies for the AIDS virus (Whitaker, 2001). Most of these individuals feel that they already are stigmatized by their sexual orientation and the lifestyle that they have chosen, and because of this they choose not to seek treatment or make known in the way the feelings and the concerns that they have. Black communities that are going to protect themselves and make themselves whole again must not stigmatize these individuals based on their sexual orientation or they will continue to avoid seeking help and continue to spread the disease to others (Whitaker, 2001). Talking about birth control is another issue that most individuals feel uncomfortable with and this is contributing to the amount of AIDS cases in black communities (Whitaker, 2001).

Communities are being virtually wiped out in some areas because of the spread of AIDS and individuals who are willing to be open and honest about birth control options and their concerns about health and safety would not likely contract AIDS or spread it to others (Whitaker, 2001). There has been little awareness in many black communities on the subject of AIDS and much of this has to do with the fact that messages about prevention and treatment were originally geared toward homosexual white men (Whitaker, 2001). They were not really relevant to black individuals and their cultural sensitivity was geared only toward white men. Without being culturally relevant, programs such as AIDS prevention and treatment cannot work in black communities (Whitaker, 2001).

This is part of the reason that schools and educators can teach many of these individuals safety and prevention measures to avoid contracting the AIDS virus. The prevention messages that have been created by the government have been helpful to the homosexual white community and the rise of AIDS in that community has rapidly diminished (Whitaker, 2001). Unfortunately, because of cultural issues and feelings that black individuals have the governmental messages were not relevant.

The government has not changed its messages about AIDS to be culturally relevant to black individuals and therefore the problem has largely been ignored when it comes to these communities (Whitaker, 2001). Some effort is being made by the government, however, and a new campaign dealing with AIDS is utilizing black leaders from not only this country but throughout the world to help with the development of activities and programs that work to show the impact that AIDS is having on the black community (Whitaker, 2001).

However, most of these informational techniques have not yet caught on and therefore there is still a great deal of difficulty helping black individuals to realize the consequences of many of their actions and to avoid getting the AIDS virus. There is also much that the black community can do to help themselves. There is a lot of stigma associated with AIDS, and many black individuals are very afraid of that stigma (Whitaker, 2001). This is a fear that black communities must get over if they are going to survive and be productive in the future, and if they are going to avoid the pain that AIDS has recently been causing in many of their communities (Whitaker, 2001).

One of the ways that they can do this is by being more open to discussing getting tested for AIDS and using condoms and other preventative measures to avoid getting the disease (Whitaker, 2001). While these types of measures are not a guarantee that someone will not receive the AIDS virus, they are much better than using nothing at all and greatly reduce the risks that an individual takes during sexual activity (Whitaker, 2001). Drug users naturally should not be engaging in this type of activity, but for those who will continue to do so, they must be taught not to share needles as this is one of the other important ways that the AIDS virus is spread (Whitaker, 2001). By doing these simple things and mostly by being willing to discuss the issues and dealing with them as they arise, the black community can go far in stopping the AIDS epidemic that is currently ravaging it (Whitaker, 2001).

Although it would appear that the government in general is doing little to help black communities from being completely decimated by the AIDS virus, there are some AIDS prevention measures that are being undertaken by some areas of the government that may apply to black individuals (Chesney, 1993). In general, however, most of the information given is not culture specific and therefore will not apply well to black individuals and their cultural beliefs and feelings (Chesney, 1993). However, some of this information is important here because it indicates what makes an AIDS prevention program successful and may be helpful to educators in the future as they work toward finding various ways of prevention.

Successful programs must have a great many things, but one of the most important ones they must have is cultural competency (Kelly, Murphy, Sikkema, & Kalichman, 1993). In other words, messages about prevention and treatment for AIDS must be tailored to a specific audience and the needs of that audience. These messages must have the following things:

sensitivity to the particular culture of the audience members that the message is trying to reach. This must include the educational level, sex, age, sexual orientation, geography, race, norms, values, beliefs, and other significant issues (Farnham, Gorsky, Holtgrave, & Guinan, 1992).

An appropriateness to the developmental status of the intended audience. Messages that are designed for students who are in elementary school or in middle school will not likely be received very well by those in high school (Farnham, Gorsky, Holtgrave, & Guinan, 1992).

Linguistic specificity which does not involve simply using the same language as the audience does, but going beyond that to the various words and phrases, as well as manners of speaking, that the audience can relate to (Farnham, Gorsky, Holtgrave, & Guinan, 1992).

Without having these three things, cultural differences may be too great for individuals of one culture to receive and be comfortable with the messages of another (Farnham, Gorsky, Holtgrave, & Guinan, 1992). This is one of the main concerns with government programs today, as much of what is being shown by the government as safety and prevention messages in regards to AIDS are designed to be nonspecific to gender, cultures, and any other issues (Farnham, Gorsky, Holtgrave, & Guinan, 1992).

While the government may feel that it is getting out a message that will have mass appeal, it is actually producing a message that has very narrow appeal. This is due to the fact that different cultures view these things differently and cultures may not speak about certain things or may discuss them only in a certain manner (Hilgard, Atkinson, & Atkinson, 1979). By not being sensitive to this the message that the government is producing is often disregarded by a specific culture and not seen as relevant (Hilgard, Atkinson, & Atkinson, 1979). The way to help individuals from other cultures is to study them and determine the important issues that they need to have presented to them and how these issues need to be presented, from a psychological perspective (Hilgard, Atkinson, & Atkinson, 1979).

There are ways that individuals can reduce their risk of AIDS and it is important that these are noted here as they are relevant for education programs and treatment programs that may be created in the future. In general, there are eight specific things that an individual needs to lower the risk of infection from AIDS:

strong intention to implement behavior that leads to avoidance or risk reduction (Walter & Vaughan, 1993).

No barriers within that person's environment that will block the change in behavior (Walter & Vaughan, 1993).

The skills necessary to execute the change in behavior (Walter & Vaughan, 1993).

An understanding that the perceived "pros" of the new behavior will be greater than the perceived "cons" (Walter & Vaughan, 1993).

A perception that an individual's peers would encourage the type of behavior change that is being considered (Walter & Vaughan, 1993).

A consistency of the new behavior as meeting the self-image that an individual has (Walter & Vaughan, 1993).

Perception that the new behavior will be reinforced in a positive way (Walter & Vaughan, 1993).

A belief that the individual is actually able to perform the new behavior and remain with it (Walter & Vaughan, 1993).

Individuals that are able to look at these eight issues and understand their importance will do much better in ensuring that they do not contract the AIDS virus (Walter & Vaughan, 1993). This will be due to the fact that their behavior will be much different than it was previously and by exhibiting better and safer behavior their risk of AIDS will be dramatically reduced (Walter & Vaughan, 1993). The pressing question then becomes how to ensure that these individuals see these eight issues as being important and work to change their behavior (Walter & Vaughan, 1993).

Much of this can be accomplished by programs that are utilized to change the various risk behaviors that individual's have (Leviton, 1989). One way to do this is through programs in schools, as educators often have the attention of various children for more time during a particular day than the parent would (Alteneder, 1992). There are six specific issues that must be looked at in school-based AIDS prevention and education programs (Kirby, 1994). These are what characterizes these adolescent programs as being effective and are important enough to be listed here. The six important characteristics are:

Developing programs through the various uses of social learning theories (Kirby, 1994).

Focusing on the reduction of risk-taking behaviors of a sexual nature that may lead not only to AIDS infections but other sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies (Kirby, 1994).

Providing basic information that is reliable and accurate and deals with the methods for avoiding unprotected sexual activity and the risks of engaging in such behavior (Kirby, 1994).

Addressing many of the influences that society and the media have on various sexual behaviors (Kirby, 1994).

Reinforced appropriate and clear group as well as individual values that go against unprotected sexual activity (Kirby, 1994).

Model and practice both negotiation skills and communication skills that individuals may need when dealing with this issue (Kirby, 1994).

These characteristics are very important for many individuals and their interest in ensuring that they do not contract the AIDS virus (Kirby, 1994). However, most individuals who realize the importance of this do not realize this on their own. They must be taught why these things are so important and what significance they have so that they are able to fully comprehend the importance of the issue and the significance of the statistics that indicate how many individuals die from this disease in black communities each year and how fast that number is growing (Kirby, 1994).

This is especially important for young people as most of these individuals have the opinion that it cannot or will not happen to them (Kirby, 1994). By encouraging this opinion, individuals only make their chances of contracting a disease such as AIDS much higher and therefore the behaviors that they are involved in become even more dangerous (Kirby, 1994). By ensuring that these individuals understand the importance and significance of what they are doing, it is more likely that fewer of these individuals will contract diseases such as AIDS and therefore there will be less chance of it being spread to other individuals through intravenous drug use or unprotected sexual contact (Kirby, 1994).

Without ensuring that these individuals understand thoroughly that it can and likely will happen to them if they continue these types of behaviors, it will be increasingly difficult to stem the flow of rising AIDS cases in black communities today (Kelly, St. Lawrence, Hood, & Brasfield, 1989). Because statistics indicate that the problem with AIDS in black urban communities is growing so rapidly, information about how to handle this problem and what types of cultural differences must be dealt with in order to ensure that these individuals receive the treatment and prevention strategies that they need must be dealt with (Coyle, Boruch, & Turner, 1991). It is clear that what the government has done up until this point is not actually working well and therefore it is also clear that different strategies must be created if the epidemic of black AIDS cases is to begin to decline anytime soon (Lee, 1993).

AIDS is not something that is entirely a black disease just yet, as whites and Latinos, as well as individuals of other populations also contract the virus (Sutkin, 1993). However, the alarming number of black individuals who are contracting AIDS at this point in time indicates that it is becoming a much more pressing problem for these individuals then it is for other ethnic groups (Novick, 1993). By examining this issue in light of the fact that black individuals in urban areas are the ones who are suffering the most, plans can be implemented that will help these individuals to learn new ways of avoiding the disease and being treated for it so that its spread will be diminished (Fisher & Fisher, 1992).

The concerns about this issue are growing rapidly in the black community, however, regardless of drug use or sexual orientation, as more individuals begin to realize the dangers that they are facing by realizing that there are more and more black individuals contracting the AIDS virus every day, and that little is being done to stop the spread before it destroys whole families and whole communities. Until a way is found to stop the spread of AIDS in black communities that is relevant to these individuals' lives and accepted by their culture, nothing that is tried in these communities will have the same type of effectiveness that it does in white communities (Fisher & Fisher, 1992).

This is a concern not just for black individuals in these communities but also for agencies that must deal with these individuals and for doctors and hospitals that must treat an increasing number of AIDS patients who are black (Fisher & Fisher, 1992). It is clear evidence of an increase in the AIDS numbers for black individuals in this country, and one that does not appear to have any potential of slowing down unless steps are taken to correct many of the problems that caused this issue in the first place.

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

The methodology for this particular study is two-fold, and as such it will be important to discuss both parts to facilitate a complete understanding of the data collected in the literature review and from experts in the field of AIDS research and study. Methodologies are highly important for the validity of the study and the reliability of the data. Without the proper way of analyzing the data, much of the valid and important information may be lost in the analyzing process. This can be avoided by a clear understanding of what should be studied and a thorough understanding of the best way to conduct that study.

The first part of the methodology for this study involves the literature review. It is important to look at the information that has been collected from the work of others and the information that they have obtained. Many times, this information can provide much in the way of valid and reliable data that can be studied both in the context of what other researchers have determined and also what these researchers might have missed in the studies that they conducted. What could have been missed might be as important or more important than what they noticed, and could shed much light on the subject when the information is analyzed in a different way or in a different context.

The review of the literature, while complete in and of itself, does not allow for an analysis of the information collected, and the analysis of this type of information is what brings the literature review to life and allows for a better understanding of what was collected by others. The analysis that these individuals have already done in the course of their own work is also important, because it sheds light on the problem from an angle that might be different from the researcher of the current study. This helps the research to understand the issue much better, and allows for a discussion of the literature in a more thorough way than would have been available otherwise.

The second part of the methodology involves information that has been collected from experts in the field. It is possible that some of this information could be contained in the literature review, but much of it will need to be collected from other sources. Surveys of individuals in this field will be necessary in order to determine how they actually feel on the issue of AIDS in urban, black communities, and whether they believe that there is an epidemic that the government has been ignoring. Also a concern for these experts is the idea that teachers and other educators might be able to do more than they have been doing to prevent some of the problems that come with the AIDS epidemic, and experts in the field might have better ideas as to how this can be done.

It is clear that curricula will need to be created that will allow for the teaching of the ways to prevent the spread of AIDS and how to help those that have already contact it live as long as possible and avoid transmitting the disease to others. One of the best ways to reach individuals on this issue is to educate them through the schools, and teachers would be charged with this task. They must know how to prepare for it and what type of curricula can be used to ensure that the message will reach the largest amount of people and impress upon them the importance of the issue. To do this, teachers must be aware of the issue and the best ways to utilize the information that they have been given.

A methodology that looks at both the literature review and the information that comes from experts will not only allow for a clearer understanding of the issue but will help any who look at the study to understand more about the concerns that these individuals face and how the lack of help that they are receiving might be directly related to the epidemic proportions that AIDS is reaching in these populations. It will also help educators and will therefore be beneficial for many who are involved with the issue. Because of these and other benefits, it can be seen how important this type of methodology is to a study of this nature and how much information can be imparted by studying the works of others, analyzing them, and looking at what experts in this area have to say on the issue.

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA ANALYSIS

In analyzing data into this topic, it is easy to see that there are several potential problems for black individuals where AIDS prevention and treatment are concerned. There are several specific areas that need to be addressed due to the fact that prevention programs are apparently not working in ways that they should. These prevention programs, coupled with curricula that educators could design and implement in future years, could be vital to black individuals and their struggles with the AIDS virus. Government intervention and other issues that could be dealt with to help families and communities cope are also becoming an increasing concern for many.

An analysis of the data will look at the literature review and also information collected from individuals in the field who are experts into this topic. Much of this information collected from these individuals will come from quotes and commentary made in the literature that was reviewed and also made on news programs where AIDS has been discussed. Ideally, surveying these individuals would have been the best choice but undertaking this type of issue would be rather complicated and reviewing the literature and information that is already published by experts in the field fit the time constraints and budget constraints of this study much more closely.

Learning ways to prevent the spread of the AIDS virus in the black population in this country is vital to the continued success of many programs. It is clear, however, that many of these programs need improvement. Unfortunately, many of them do not meet the characteristics that they need to be successful with a particular culture. Black individuals look at things differently than white individuals in many circumstances and they have different thoughts, fears, stigmas, and other issues that they must contend with. For example, one individual, a doctor in California, made to comment that "we have to get over the stigma" (Whitaker, 2001). What he meant by this was that black individuals often do not talk about the problems that they have with AIDS or with homosexual behavior because there is such a stigma attached to this type of issue. By being able to get over this, black individuals would be able to talk much more freely about the problems that they have and this would lead to increased awareness and better prevention and treatment efforts for AIDS and other diseases.

Because of this lack of cultural awareness, however, the government has largely ignored black individuals and their problems with AIDS. Whether this is deliberate or not remains to be seen, but it is clear that government intervention into AIDS prevention and treatment up until this point have been largely a generic approach that has more easily focused on white individuals than it has on black individuals. Even though these programs appear to be mostly unfavorable, the government has not yet done away with them and therefore they continue to remain in various communities and collect taxpayer money. This is not helping the taxpayers any, nor is it helping the black individuals in these communities that are still ravaged by high numbers of AIDS cases.

Statistical data into this issue would indicate that because the numbers of black AIDS cases are rising so strongly prevention efforts must be directed at that particular cultural target population. By continuing to target the general population, or by continuing to target white homosexual men, government interventions are doing a disservice to everyone, including members of the black community who are still struggling with this issue. Statistics from the Center for Disease Control indicate that black individuals in this country do have much higher numbers for AIDS than others. The following tables indicate this information:

TABLE 1: AIDS Rate by Race-Ethnicity and Sex, for 1993 (number per 100,000)

Race-Ethnicity Adults/Adolescents Children

13 Years Males Females White, not Hispanic 57.3-5.0-0.4 African-Americanb 266.2-73.1-7.2 Hispanic 145.9-32.2-3.6 aFigures reflect the expanded definition of AIDS used in 1993 and reporting delays. bThe CDC classification is black, not Hispanic. SOURCE: CDC (1994a:15).

TABLE 2: African-Americana and Hispanic Cases, Reported Through December 31, 1993

Exposure Category Number of Cases Percentage of All Cases Total African

American Hispanic African

American Hispanic All categories 355,936 112,002 60,008 31.5-16.9 Male homosexual/bisexual 193,652 36,446 23,146 18.8-12.0 Injecting drug user 87,259 44,700 23,833 51.2-27.3 Male homosexual and in- jecting drug user 23,360 6,762 3,458 28.9-14.8 Heterosexual who has had contact with injecting drug user 12,688 6,688 3,168 52.7-25.0 aThe CDC classification is black, not Hispanic. bFigures reflect reporting delays.

SOURCE: CDC (1994: 8-10).

When these tables are examined, it becomes clear that there is a disproportionate number of black individuals in this country, whether they be drug users, homosexuals, or simply heterosexual individuals who have made promiscuous choices, who have contracted AIDS through one transmittal form or another. Because of this, there is much concern regarding the epidemic of AIDS in black communities and whether it will continue to spread.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine whether the spread of this tragedy will continue, the whether enough interventions will be created to be able to stop this in time, before it gets any more dangerous and problematic for the individuals that must deal with it on a daily basis. Whichever occurs, it is clear that the real problem with AIDS lies no longer with homosexual white men but with black individuals of both genders and sexual orientations.

Indications also show that government interventions are not working with regard to changing this problem, and that it is important to many educators and teachers at schools throughout the country that the black communities began to teach children even more about the dangers of AIDS and the many ways that AIDS can be contracted. Most of the reason that AIDS is contracted so easily in the black communities is one of ignorance on the issue and the dangers that it has.

Many individuals may feel that they are safe because they are taking various precautions such as remaining in a monogamous relationship. However, anyone who is sexually active or is an IV drug user is at risk, and until all of these individuals understand that and are willing to be tested and take precautions the epidemic will only continue to grow.

CHAPTER FIVE

CONCLUSION

Many things have been learned from this study, and this chapter will discuss these in greater detail. It is important, after an analysis of the data, that there be a discussion of the findings of that analysis. This provides a better and more thorough understanding of the topic covered and the problems that have arisen while it has been discussed. The findings that were analyzed in the last chapter would indicate that the hypotheses that were presented by the research early in the study were correct. Those hypotheses were: