The Impact of AIDS on Racial & Ethnic Groups

Is The Impact of HIV and AIDS the Same for All Ethnicities?

According to numerous studies and surveillance numbers, HIV and AIDS has had a disproportionate impact on ethnic and minority groups. Just how does HIV and AIDS impact our ethnic and minority groups? Here are a few facts to illustrate the effect of HIV on minority and ethnic populations.

• Racial and ethnic minorities account for 71 percent of all new AIDS cases and represent 64 percent of all people living with AIDS.

• Approximately 2 percent of all African Americans in the US are HIV positive; a much higher proportion than any other racial group.

• The number of AIDS cases per 100,000 African Americans is nine time greater than per 100,000 whites.

• African Americans account for 55 percent of all AIDS deaths, followed by Latinos who account for 14 percent.

• Survival after an AIDS diagnosis is lower for African Americans than any other racial or ethnic group.

• AIDS is the 4th. leading cause of death in African American men and 3rd. leading cause of death in African American women. This ranking is higher than any other racial or ethnic group.

More US HIV and AIDS Data

_{Source: The Kaiser Family Foundation; "The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the United States"; 1 Jul 2007.}