Predisposition to HIV AIDS in the USA

Demographics of Population Vulnerable to HIV / AIDS

Undoubtedly, AIDS has become an epidemic of color. Additionally, the menace has affected hay and bisexual men who have sex with other men (MSM). Today, these groups depict the highest risk rates compared to other groups and communities. In this paper, we endeavor to analyze the high rates of HIV / AIDS prevalence in these two groups. Further, we explore the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in the U.S. and the impact it has brought regarding the prevention and care of these vulnerable populations.

The African-American community has occurred as the ethnic community that has suffered a severe blunt of this disease to a devastating degree. Historically, the African-American community has experienced neglect in healthcare and prevention regarding AIDS control. The changing demographics have exemplified the urgent need of concern and actions towards alleviating the spread of this disease, especially concerning the African-American community. Statistics from 2011 show that African-Americans accounted for 41% of those infected by the disease.

About 12% of the U.S. population comprises of the African-American population (Kates, Garfield, & Young, Quinn, Frazier, & Skarbinski, 2014). These statistics reveal the high rates of prevalence of HIV / AIDS in this population compared to other ethnic groups. About 30% of black women in 2009 accounted for the estimated new HIV infections amongst all the black population in the U.S. Additionally, 2012 statistics has cited that 90% of all women infected with HIV / AIDS are black (Women's eNews, 2012). From these data, it is evident that HIV / AIDS occurs more of an issue of race, regarding the prevalence rates of blacks affected by the epidemic in the U.S.

Today, bisexual or gay men who have sex with men (MSM) are a severely vulnerable community to the infection of HIV / AIDS. MSM account for about 2% of the U.S. population. In 2009, for example, about two-thirds of new HIV infections emanated from this population. Statistics indicates that in 2008, half of the population living with HIV / AIDS was MSM. Despite their small numbers, the MSM group occurs as the most vulnerable group to contract HIV virus. In 2010, statistics indicated that 61% of new HIV infections emanated from sexual contact from male to male (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2010). In this group, all races white and Black suffer the predicaments of HIV infection.

Change in demographics has prompted the government's change of policies to address this epidemic. The adoption of the ACA has provided individuals living with HIV / AIDS better access to healthcare options and other insurance plans. It has provided an opportunity for previously neglected groups such as the Black population enabling them to access healthcare services. Such opportunities have covered those living with HIV / AIDS and other chronic diseases such as cancer and asthma. The Ryan White HIV / AIDS program has offered various benefits to individuals living with the diseases. Statistics indicates that about 407,000 of individuals living with HIV / AIDS aged between 19 and 64 years depict low levels of income, making them a vulnerable population to suffer the brunt of HIV / AIDS due to the unaffordability of health care.

The Medicaid program encompassed within ACA has enabled those with incomes below 138% of the Federal poverty line. Medicaid now covers individuals including single adults without children. As the largest payer of HIV care, Medicaid has covered groups such as men who have sex with other men (MSM), bisexual, and gay men. Men who have sex with other men (MSM) have occurred as the most vulnerable group to contract HIV / AIDS (Weitz, 2012). The program has also enabled the individuals to receive financial assistance for people with low and middle incomes.

The ACA program has facilitated the expansion of community health centers. Major investments in this program have enabled previously marginalized groups to receive better healthcare, especially those living with HIV / AIDS. The changing demographics of the vulnerable HIV / AIDS population have also explained the initiation of the ACA program by the Obama administration. The success of this program endeavors to enhance better health care for individuals living with HIV / AIDS population.

The nursing practice has played a crucial role in facilitating the change experienced in health centers. Today, the ACA program has enabled a majority of those living with HIV / AIDS to access proper healthcare. In the coming years, it is expected that the prevalence rates of HIV / AIDS will reduce based on the affordability of healthcare services. Change has become a reality to enable the most affected groups to receive proper healthcare.