
Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2025 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Researchers at the CDC found several touted theories about why HIV spreads so rapidly among black men, but no single theory'nor any combination of theories'can be pointed out as the likely culprit. ''High rates of STDs, including syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, facilitate the spread of HIV both through increased infectiousness and increased receptivity to infection. ' A lack of knowledge about their seropositive status might lead men to unknowingly pass along the virus. Black men who have sex with men are usually tested less frequently, and later after infection, than men who are white, Hispanic, or of other races. The report found insufficient data to support other hypotheses, but its authors believe more research is necessary on several topics. ''Blacks may be more genetically susceptible to HIV, since they are less likely to have a genetic variant known as a 'CCR5 32 base pair deletion' than whites, which is believed to create resistance to HIV infection. ''Blacks are less likely to be circumcised than whites, and recent studies have shown that circumcision can lower a man's risk of sexually transmitted HIV infection. ' HIV-positive blacks may be more infectious since they'and African-Americans in general'have less access to health care services, and as such are less likely to have suppressed HIV levels in the body though stable antiretroviral therapy. ''Blacks are more likely to have sex with other blacks, making them more likely to be exposed to the virus through this 'sexual network.' The CDC believes the data to support this hypothesis is strong. ''Black men are more likely to be incarcerated, putting them at risk for HIV through unprotected sex or needle sharing while in prison. Studies have shown prisons to have high HIV prevalence rates. In addition to those theories addressed by the CDC, there are many other common theories about why black men'whether or not they have sex with other men'have high rates of HIV infection. ''Belief in conspiracy theories about HIV, which lessens condom use. ''Mistrust of the medical community in part because of the Tuskegee syphilis experiments on blacks from the 1930s to the 1970s. ''Silence on HIV issues from black churches. ''High dropout rates, unemployment, poverty, disenfranchisement, and feelings of hopelessness or depression that may lead to risky behaviors.
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Lexi Love comes out as HIV+ after Trump deletes federal resources
January 23 2025 11:23 AM
Ricky Martin delivers showstopping performance for 2024 World AIDS Day
December 05 2024 12:08 PM
Trump's orders prompt CDC to erase HIV resources
January 31 2025 5:29 PM
Meet our Health Hero of the Year, Armonté Butler
October 21 2024 12:53 PM
California confirms first case of even more deadly mpox strain
November 18 2024 3:02 PM
This long-term HIV survivor says testosterone therapy helped save his life.
December 16 2024 8:00 PM
Plus: Featured Video
Latest Stories
Broadway's best raise over $1 million for LGBTQ+ and HIV causes
April 03 2025 7:15 PM
The Talk Season 5 premieres this spring with HIV guidance for the newly diagnosed
March 26 2025 1:00 PM
Discover the power of Wellness in your life
March 26 2025 12:41 PM
Season 4 of The Switch on resilience & radical self-love returns this spring
March 26 2025 12:20 PM
Jess King is here to help you live your happiest, healthiest life yet
March 24 2025 4:35 PM
BREAKING NEWS: Trump admin moves to end federal HIV prevention programs
March 18 2025 6:10 PM
Gerald Garth is keeping people of color happy and healthy through trying times
March 11 2025 3:38 PM
Celebrating Black History Month with our annual African American issue
February 01 2025 3:28 PM
Tyler TerMeer vows to continue to fight for health care for all
January 28 2025 3:00 PM
Plus nominated for 2025 GLAAD Media Award
January 22 2025 12:42 PM
A camp for HIV-positive kids is for sale. Here's why its founder is celebrating
January 02 2025 12:21 PM
'RuPaul's Drag Race' star Trinity K Bonet quietly comes out trans
December 15 2024 6:27 PM
AIDS Memorial Quilt displayed at White House for the first time
December 02 2024 1:21 PM
Decades of progress, uniting to fight HIV/AIDS
December 01 2024 12:30 PM
Hollywood must do better on HIV representation
December 01 2024 9:00 AM
Climate change is disrupting access to HIV treatment
November 25 2024 11:05 AM
Post-election blues? Some advice from mental health experts
November 08 2024 12:36 PM
Check out our 2024 year-end issue!
October 28 2024 2:08 PM
AIDS/LifeCycle is ending after more than 30 years
October 17 2024 12:40 PM
Twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir, an HIV-prevention drug, reduces risk by 96%
October 15 2024 5:03 PM