why is AIDS infection higher among black men?

Question

Gay and bisexual African-American men become infected with the AIDS virus at a much higher annual rate than white or Hispanic gays and bisexuals, a new study shows. Each year, about 15% of gay and bisexual African-American men between 23 and 29 become infected with HIV, the AIDS virus, four times the rate among Latinos and five times the rate among whites, says the study released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Moreover, the average annual HIV incidence for all gay and bisexual men is about 4%, which is comparable to infection rates seen in the mid-1980s when the AIDS epidemic mushroomed nationwide.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/aids/2001-05-31-aids-africa-americans.htm
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Answer 1

A black man told me that black men don't care who they
have sex with. They gotta have sex all the time.

Answer 2

Gay men do have a lower rate of infection these days because they are taking more precautions. However, being a black person does not make you more likely to get HIV, let alone any disease. If it were true that you are more likely to get a disease based on your ethnicity, then what about mixed people? Anywho, yes, black men and women are getting HIV more frequently than Other ethnic groups. But, this has less to do with biology as it does with culture/socieconomics. The numbers you are looking at actually got their HIV from injection drug-use, not through being down low or needing sex all the time. It is even rather startling to the medical community because the number of injection drug users is much higher in this group than any other group. Poverty also has a lot to do with this, as living in poor areas means that you have less access to money to get to a sex ed place, testing center, or a doctor. Also, the educational system won't be as good in a poverty-stricken area. This isn't to say that every black person is poor, but it should atleast guide you in the answer you are looking for.

Answer 3

There are no reliable studies that state African Americans are predetermined to get HIV, because of their African heritage. When HIV was a gay, white American disease people from the gay community got together to get the word out via bulletin boards, commercials and free publications to the community. With bisexual behavior being more accepted by some people in society, black men are more readily engaging in gay and bi-sexual relationships. Unfortunately, African America women are caught in the cross fire when men do not disclose their sexual preferences. Prevention and intervention efforts need to be targeted towards this group of people so the HIV/AIDS infection will be reduce in the African American community as a whole.

Answer 4

Chiro4Life, I'm from South Africa, and strange that you knew that HIV/Aids started here, but we don't!
I can only talk for what I now about the traditions of the African Black people. Here the men had more than one wife. They believed their wealth was determined by how many children (boys) and cattle they had. This was part of their tradition for hundreds of years, but now with the Western Laws, their traditions are illegal. So it happens that the men have a tendency to sleep more around since they can't have so many wives any more.
Another reason is that the men are moving from the rural areas to the mines, to provide better for their families and will only go back for long weekends and holidays. So in the mean time they will get another girlfriend or make use of prostitution.
I don't know about the statistics of America or the reasons, but these are the 2 major reasons of S.A.

Answer 5

This is an interesting epidemiologic question that begs for a quick anwer like, "these people have a low tryptophan content in their diet." Or "african-americans and hispanics demonstrate excessive neurotransmission in the limbic system."

Your question is looking for a genetic difference between the races. Its possible there is a biologic basis, but culture cannot be discounted.

Poverty will have an indirect relationship.

In the end, how does an individual make HIV risk decisions? You can look at this from a philosophic/spiritual point of view.

My view from a lofty place of safety is quite different from a lonely, hopeless, painful point of view.

Answer 6

i wonder...is it because black men are more permiscuious? is this study relevent? when, where, how, was the study taken place? it is just an average, right. i dont think it accurately gets the REAL numbers. i dont know..i might not be at your level for this question. well why is sickle cell seen in black people and not whites? i dont think anyone is immune to HIV/AIDS so i dont think that black people are more prone to it by genetic standards, but maybe its something else, like the partners they choose, if they wore protection. i think its sad that there is so much focus and attention on stuff like "death rate is higher for black babies" i think this is because of a bad surrounding atmosphere. if people would use protection, stay abstinent, feed their babies and do whatever else is needed to ensure a healthy life, then it wouldnt matter if black,white whatever is at a higher infection rate. I want to ask something ignorant and dumb, but why does it seem like black people are better athletes and run faster and jump higher with such ease without trying, whereas whites/latins whatever try so hard every day, and black people smoke them in every sport? this is like a racial stupid question, and it is like a stereotype, but why does it seem like this? do you think black people has naturally bigger muscles and bones than others? if so, it would imply that blacks have evolved and are the superior race. Im not gonna say my race, but i like your question.

Answer 7

I am no expert but I have seen a documentary about gangs and not sure what is the % of whites to blacks to hispanics in gangs but the show was about black gang memebers who have attractions to their gang member and have sex with them. Maybe that could be somewhat of a reason.

Answer 8

For sure it is poverty, which causes flaws in thinking. the question should not be black men, but more to the affect of poor men. you should know race is not a relevent factor. it is the culture...

Answer 9

It could be linked to the fact that AIDS started in South Africa, and that since there are some genetic links to AIDS, black men may get it easier.

Answer 10

because they are many black men who are gay or on the down low as they say. and they still have sexual relationships with black women or any women, and do not use protection. or they do not reveal to the women or do not believe they are gay.

Answer 11

well, there is the circumcision thing

and general health/access to good health care.

and the unfortunate fact that white folks care less about black folks than they do about themselves. (ourselves---I'm one of them)

sorry---hope things change someday---am not holding my breath