Pockets Of U.S. Have Higher Rate Of HIV Than Africa

Newsweek has a great post about HIV in America and how it still is a major problem in black and brown America.

Here are a few staggering numbers.

*1 in 16 black men in DC are affected with HIV.
*1 in 40 black men in NY are affected with HIV.

In the general population, this is the approximate breakdown of Aids/HIV in America.

*33% of new cases are from heterosexual relationships.
*50% of new cases are from anal sex between men.
*17% of new cases are from the sharing of intravenous drug needles.

Even though there are many clean needle programs in the country, many drug users still share needles or use dirty needles.

The Newsweek report also mentions that several Urban areas in the US are experiencing as much as a 30% rate of HIV infection compared to 8% in the general population of Kenya and 17% in South Africa.

Black and Latina women make up more than 25% of the new HIV infected. Many of these women are having unprotected sex with black and Latino men.

In 2010, everyone should consider being HIV tested with their partner before they decide to have unprotected sex. Testing at local clinics is usually free of charge.

It has been reported that an estimated 200,000 people in America are unaware of their HIV status.