African-Americans comprise 13% of the total population in United States and it is said that they are prone to disease 10 times more than the whites.
Nowadays AIDS in America is being called as 'Black Disease' as commented by Phill Wilson, executive director of the black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles. It is because of the growing AIDS population among the blacks, accounting to more than 55% of the total AIDS cases across the country. African-Americans comprise 13% of the total population in United States and it is said that they are prone to disease 10 times more than the whites.
Experts feel that there is a need for a bold new strategy for addressing the growing AIDS crisis among the blacks. As a part of this broader effort, National Minority AIDS Council backed by U.S. black lawmakers and medical leaders, have issued a report in advance of world AIDS day (Dec 1) stating a five-point strategy that helps in reducing the spread of the disease among black Americans.Distrust of the medical establishments, less access to medical insurance, homelessness are some of the factors cited by the report for the spread of HIV virus among the blacks.
The recommendations from the experts included programs like free condoms availability to inmates in prisons, urging routine HIV tests for inmates upon entry and release, injection drug prevention programs to affordable housing, expanding HIV prevention education programs etc. Several other groups including the Urban League, the NAACP and members of Congress and AIDS organizations supported the policy.
Source-Medindia
SRI
