Young gay men in America face an increased danger from AIDS. The situation is worst amongst the black community in the country. These are the finding of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a federal body. It says the incidence of AIDS infection in young gay men is ten times higher than in the homosexual community as a whole. In the 13-to-24-year-old group, the average annual increase was 12 percent. In the youngest age bracket, the yearly rise averaged 8 percent among Hispanics, 9 percent among whites and 15 percent among blacks.
Two questions come to mind. First, why are young men facing a greater AIDS infection? Second, why are the blacks amongst them the most vulnerable?
The answer to the first question is that the current rise in AIDS is the infection of ‘the second generation’ of young Americans. They are so aware of the dangers of AIDS. The rise of antivirals has made them bold enough not to be careful. They feel there is treatment available and act heedlessly.
Why are black young men suffering the most? Studies have noted that they are less likely to have sexual partners than white males. They use less injected drugs. And they are well aware of the need for ‘protected sex’. Then why the higher prevalence amongst black youths? The answer is that the black community suffers more (than other communities) from diseases like syphilis and gonorrhoea, diseases that enhances chances of contracting AIDS.
But there is hope yet. A study by the American Journal of Public Health showed that prevention messages specially made for gay black men can work. Researchers recruited “opinion leaders” in the gay communities of three cities in North Carolina. Their message of the importance of protected sex showed results. There was a decline in the high-risk unprotected sex in the target areas.
Education and information focused on blacks will prove to be the key to solve this problem.
Via: Washington Post
Comments
First, it was ignorance that was killing people with AIDS, now its nonchalance.
My sentiments exactly. I notice that people dont mind being intimate without using protection. Its why I have been single for, what seems like, forever and am quite content.
The advance in the treatment of AIDS is ironically turning out to be the cause of its rise!
Today’s young Americans seem to think that by taking those green or red pills they would be saved from AIDS. Recklessness seems to be the motto.
They should be educated about the graveness of the disease. Even if the new anti-viral drugs are able to fight AIDS, the medical costs are high. There is need for a serious focussed awareness programme on these issues.