The Hard Facts

Overburdening Black America As National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day approaches (February 7), experts warn that the virus is still hitting black communities especially hard. At all stages of the disease black Americans are disproportionately affected compared with members of other races. According to the census, blacks make up approximately 12% of the U.S. population. However, in 2006 blacks accounted for 49% of the estimated 56,300 new U.S. HIV diagnoses, according to data from the 33 states and territories with long-term, confidential name-based reporting. ''Of all black men living with the virus, the primary transmission category was sexual contact with other men, followed by injection-drug use and high-risk heterosexual contact. ''Of all black women living with the virus, the primary transmission category was high-risk heterosexual contact, followed by injection-drug use. ''Of the estimated 141 infants perinatally infected with HIV, 65% were black. ''Of the estimated 27,009 young people under the age of 25 whose AIDS diagnosis was made during 2002 to 2006, 61% were African-American. Way Out of Control When comparing new AIDS cases by race and ethnicity to their proportion of the U.S. population, black Americans show a stark contrast in impact. ''African-American constitute 12% of the U.S. population, but account for 49% of the nation's AIDS cases. ''Whites constitute 67% of the U.S. population, but account for 30% of the nation's AIDS cases. ''Latinos account for 14% of the U.S. population, but account for 19% of the nation's AIDS cases. ''Asian and Pacific Islanders account for 4% of the U.S. population, but account for 1% of the nation's AIDS cases. ''American Indians and Alaska Natives account for 1% of the U.S. population, and account for about 1% of the nation's AIDS cases. A Shift Over the Years The proportion of AIDS cases among black Americans doubled between 1985 and 2005, a sharp increase compared to the other most populous ethnic groups. Blacks: 1985--25% of U.S. AIDS cases; 2006--49% Whites: 1985--59% of U.S. AIDS cases; 2006--30% Latinos: 1985--15% of U.S. AIDS cases; 2006--19%. Source: CDC's 'HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report,' Volume 18 (August 2008, Revised)