A New Majority

Black adults and adolescents account for almost 51% of new HIV infections in the United States, according to the March 9 issue of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 'Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.' The statistic was derived from data collected between 2001 and 2004 in 33 states that had used names-based reporting of HIV and AIDS cases since 2001. Most new infections are occurring in the 25'44 age group, of which African-Americans accounted for 48%. By population, black Americans were 13% of the population in the 33 states where data was studied, but they accounted for 50.5% of the new diagnoses. The report stressed that in order to reduce the disproportionate impact of HIV on African-Americans, new interventions and mobilization of the broader community are needed.