Tomorrow is National HIV Testing Day. NHTD is an annual campaign produced by the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA). The CDC estimates that more than 1,000,000 Americans are living with HIV, including more than 415,000 living with AIDS.
Who is at risk?
African-Americans
African-Americans have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic, and this disparity has grown worse over time. While African-Americans represent 12% of the U.S. population, they account for more than half (54%) of the estimated 40,000 new HIV infections each year in the U.S.3 In 2001, white women represented 15% of new AIDS cases compared to 34% for African-American women.
Latinos
Latino populations continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. While Latinos represent 14% of the U.S. population, they accounted for 19% of AIDS cases reported in 20014 and 19% of the estimated 40,000 new HIV infections each year. In 2001, white women represented 15% of new AIDS cases compared to 23% for Latinas.
Men Who Have Sex With Men
Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for an estimated 42% of all new HIV infections even as the infection rate has declined since the early years of the epidemic. Reports of increased sexual risk-taking among MSM is a growing trend, and MSM are at significantly greater risk of HIV infection than other groups in the U.S. Younger MSM are at particularly high risk,and minority MSM now account for a majority of AIDS cases reported among MSM.
Women
The impact of AIDS on women is growing rapidly; women accounted for 7% of new AIDS cases in 1989 and 29% in 2004. An estimated 30% of new HIV infections are found in women. Three-quarters of new HIV infections are due to heterosexual sex.
Youth
At least half of people becoming infected with HIV infections each year are those under the age of 25. Most young people are infected through sex. Young African-Americans represent 64% of new AIDS cases among 13-19 year olds,and Latinos represent 20% of this age group. Teenage girls account for 54% of new AIDS cases among teenagers.
Go here to find a NHTD event near you (sadly, they aren't in all states) or you can find a test site here.
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