HIV Among Black Women Higher Than Initially Thought; Comparable to sub-Saharan Africa
According to a recent report, the rate of HIV infections among Black women is five times higher than originally thought.
The CDC estimates that 1 in 32 Black women are HIV positive.
However, a recent study conducted by the HIV Prevention Trials Network reveals that the situation is much worse. Women constitute one quarter of new HIV infections in the US; 66 percent of these women are Black women, even though they only represent 14 percent of the US female population.
The rate of HIV infection among Black women is comparable to those in sub-Saharan Africa.
“What’s more alarming is that the rate revealed in the ISIS study is comparable to estimated HIV incidence rates in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including the Congo (0.28%) and Kenya (0.53%). “While African American women do not engage in more risky behaviors than other women, a complex range of social and environmental factors place them at greater risk for HIV,” the CDC said in a statement announcing the launch of a new campaign called “Take Charge. Take the Test.” aimed at curbing the HIV crisis among black women.”
Read the rest of this article at HuffingtonPost.com
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