African American Women and HIV/AIDS

[delph998]

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among U.S. women has increased alarmingly over the last decade, especially among African American and Hispanic women. HIV destroys a certain kind of blood cells (CD4+T) which are crucial to the normal function of the human immune system. Although there have been great strides made in the development of drugs to help combat HIV, there still is no cure for the deadly disease caused by HIV, acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS), and of women living with AIDS, 75% are minority women. All women who have sexual contact with an HIV-infected person or who use intravenous drugs are at high risk.

AIDS is the second leading cause of death for African American women ages 25-44. In this age group, these women die from AIDS 12-13 times more than white women of the same age.

_______________________________

I am doing a speech on how this new phemoneon has a taken control over our race and women. This is a big scare to me because women contracting this disease have been in, supposedly, "monogamous" relationships with their husbands and significant others for years. Additonally, many women find out they have the disease while at the doctor for a regular check-up.

How do you all feel about this new epidemic? How often does it cross your mind? Is it okay to ask potential significant others if they've been tested for HIV/AIDS? If they get offended when the question is asked, should that be a sign they're hiding something? Can't wait to hear your responses...

[kizzie22]

First of all Good Luck on your presentation! Wow, I didn't realize the numbers were that high in African American Females. I feel like it is a wake up call for us. I think alot of us get caught up in the fact that we are only sleeping with this person and he's okay. But we tend to forget that we are sleeping with everyone he's slept with when we practice unsafe sex. I think it's a good idea to ask your partner if they have been tested for HIV/AIDS. If they get offended or refuse to answer the question then it's time to say "good-bye". This day and time you can NEVER be too careful.

[delph998]

Thank you Kizzie! Lately, I've been hearing a lot about how HIV/AIDS affects African American women and it's very frightening. I started the Could YOu Wait thread a few months back in AlphaLand, and a lot of men said they could wait and A LOT men said they couldn't wait. My legs are closed until I'm in a very serious relationship and we've both been tested for the disease. I would really like to abstain completely, and pray that God blesses me with a man that will understand where I stand. We shall see though...

Other thoughts ladies?

[bluethunder]

sorors and friends,
i have to say that the AIDS/HIV epidemic is very close to my heart as one of my parents is dying of the disease as I type this now...
i cannot express to you all the importance of making good CONSCIOUS decisions--- i actually hosted our chapter's annual retreat this past weekend and i made sure that we had numerous community health educators come and discuss it because AIDS/HIV is serious. making sure to get tested is SERIOUS. knowing the consequences of irresponsible behavior is SERIOUS. this is something that we need to talk more about and help raise our awareness of. when i talked to a soror in my chapter about my dad, i was shocked at her response. she said, "for some reason, i cannot picture a black man as having AIDS". THIS is WHY we need to become more EDUCATED so that we can combat people's not knowing and being adequately informed. it's not a black thing, it's not a white thing-- it's an ALL OF US thing. here in florida, last year, 1 in 50 blacks had HIV or AID--
this year, it's one in 46. in the cities of jacksonville and miami, the number is even lower than that. we need to start remembering that if we can't talk about AIDS with our partners, then we shouldn't be sleeping with them! a LOT of people slept on national black AID/HIV awareness day this year (feb. 7th), but we need to make it our business to get the word out, since WORLD AIDS day is coming up in JUNE.

[kizzie22]

SoRHOr, I am sorry to hear about your father. My heart goes out to you and your family. Alot of people think AIDS/HIV occurs in one particluar race and not the others. AIDS/HIV is colorblind it can happen to anyone.

[TRSimon]

Originally posted by delph998
How do you all feel about this new epidemic? How often does it cross your mind? Is it okay to ask potential significant others if they've been tested for HIV/AIDS? If they get offended when the question is asked, should that be a sign they're hiding something? Can't wait to hear your responses...

Let me echo my soror Kizzie's sentiments in wishing you the most success with your presentation.

When I was in college, I was part of our Campus AIDS education program, and we did a presentation for a community service organization on campus. Even after we discussed the growing numbers of AIDS cases in our community and the need for abstinence and safe sex and honesty with partners, one of the members of the sponsoring organization asserted her view that "the AIDS thing is blown out of proportion and does not even exist on college campuses". I was horrified because I knew for a fact that it had arrived in Grambling. Northeast Louisiana, at the time, had the most rapidly growing venereal disease infection rate in the nation.

When I read about the rapid rate of infection among women of color (just about every month), it fills me with the same kind of dread that I felt about ten years ago when this young lady challenged me and my other peer counselors instead of investigating the facts for herself. I just hope she hasn't fallen prey to the statistics, or that anyone who looked up to her has not emulated her ignorance. I think about it at least two or three times a week, since I have sisters, cousins, sorors and friends who are single and dating women of color.

The only thing I can say is please wait as long as possible to get to know the person you want to be with. Then get their test results. If dude has to go to the free clinic, then so be it. If he is so offended that his woman would ask (that he would end the relationship), then later for him because he doesn't care about his partner's well-being (more than he cares about his own image) anyways.

Does anyone remember those "Choose Life" tshirts from back in the gap (the ones that folks like Wham wore when they first came out)? We, as women of color really need to "Choose Life" more often in all of the ways that we take care of ourselves.

I know that Delph didn't ask for a book, but I guess I had a lot to say.

[TRSimon]

Originally posted by bluethunder
sorors and friends,
i have to say that the AIDS/HIV epidemic is very close to my heart as one of my parents is dying of the disease as I type this now...

Soror, you and your family are in my prayers, and you are so right for emphasizing the need for our people to become more educated about HIV/AIDS.

[SeriousSigma22]

Delphi998 and BlueThunder,

Delphi998 thank you for taking up the charge in educating our folks about this modern day plague. It just seems that African Americans and Latinos are always hit the hardest - whether it's HIV/AIDS, Heart Disease, Diabetes, or some form of Cancer. We as a race of people need to really show that we love and care enough about ourselves and each other before we risk it all for a few minutes of pleasure. Good luck in your very important presentation and I know that it will be well received.

Sorhor BlueThunder I'm praying for you and your family member's physical, mental, and spiritual health because that's what going to get you all through this very serious illness.

Serioussigma22

[delph998]

Sisterfriend BluThunder, I'll be praying for you and your father!

SeriousSigma, you raised a very good point, and that scares me the most. We're so ingorant to the things that are detroying us (HIV/AIDS, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer) and it seems like the African American race is dying! I could sit here and type a book about how it's happening. We need to EDUCATE our people.

[TRSimon]

Originally posted by delph998
acquired immunodeficiency disease (AIDS),

AIDS is short for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

[Aurora6]

First off Good luck on your presentation. We definitely need more sisters and brothers taking up the fight against AIDS in the global community.

I truly don't think many people realize just how devastating the affects of HIV/AIDS has and is going to have in our communities.

Ignorance is NOT bliss, in this case ignorance may cost you your life or the life of someone you know.

Get the TRUTH/FACTS about HIV/AIDS and protect yourselves accordingly.

Soror Bluethunder, girl, I so feel for you and your family. Thank you for sharing something so personal and as such making it real for many of us.

I'm sorry that your family is experiencing this situation, I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts. I can only imagine how difficult this may be for you all.

FYI - my chapter is walking in the 2003 AIDSWalk Central Ohio, and I encourage you all to participate in these types of events in your community as well.

I think many people of color get the false impression that AIDS is still a gay white males disease due to their community always being the forefront of the AIDS prevention movement. We as a black community need to get out there and put in work and let our community know that this disease does not discriminate.

"Greater Service, Greater Progress"

[NinjaPoodle]

With everything already being said, I will just say,

1. Soror Bluthunder, My prayers to you.
2. Delph988, much sucess to you on your presentation.
3. People, you know the facts by now. Please protect yourselves.

[SeriousSigma22]

Delphi998,

Please keep us informed about the outcome of your presentation and again good luck.

Serioussigma22

[delph998]

Thanks for all of the support given. I'll let you all know how successful the report was as soon as I give it on TOMORROW! Pray for a sista!

[Afrochic]

Originally posted by TRSimon
AIDS is short for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

AIDS is also short for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. This syndrome represents the late clinical state of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), resulting in progressive damage to the immune system and in life-threatening infectious and noninfectious complications.