January 15, 2013

Despite What Some May Think: Black and Latino Teens and Young Adults “Very Concerned” about HIV

A 2012 survey of 15-24 year olds conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that three in four respondent viewed hIV/AIDS as a serious issue for their generation.  However, for young people of color, HIV/AIDS is seen as significantly more important. Perhaps this is because these young people of color are from communities that have been disproportionately affected by this disease. By race, Blacks face the most severe HIV burden. According to the CDC, Blacks represent approximately 14% of the U.S. population, but they accounted for almost half (46%) of people living with HIV in the U.S. in 2008, as well as an estimated 44% of new infections in 2009. Latinos represent 16% of the population but accounted for an estimated 17% of people living with HIV in 2008 and 20% of new infections in 2009. For both groups, these rates have been stable since the 1990s, according to the CDC.

While 32% of whites said that this was a "very serious" issue for their generation, nearly twice as many Black (62%) and Latino (61%) youths viewed HIV/AIDS as "very serious". Black and Latino respondents stated that HIV/AIDS is a deeply personal and societal concern.  Black youths say that they are "very concerned" (49%) or at least "somewhat concerned" (21%) personally about HIV/AIDS. Latinos also reported high levels of concern with 32% saying they are "very concerned" and 16% saying they are "somewhat concerned." In comparison, only 35% of whites expressed personal concern (17% "very" and 18% "somewhat").

Youths generally agree that it is possible for people with HIV to live healthy and productive lives (25% "strongly agree" and 54% "somewhat agree"). However, stigma persists as a barrier to be overcome with a third say that there is still "a lot" of stigma around  HIV/AIDS.  Youth also seek to acquire more knowledge about this disease, including basic facts like how to prevent the spread of HIV (36%), who should get tested (35%), and how to talk to you partner about getting tested (34%) and prevention (27%).

Finally, young people remain optimistic about ending AIDS in their lifetime (74%).  For Black youths, in particular, there is a desire to have a role in helping to eradicate HIV/AIDS, with 25% saying they would play a major role (25%) or at least some role (45%). My Health Impact Network welcomes youths seeking to educate peers about HIV prevention.

References
Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 2012, HIV/AIDS 101: US Statistics, last accessed January 15, 2013 

Kaiser Family Foundation, 2012, AIDS is a Deeply Personal as swell as Societal Concern for Young Americans of Color, last accessed January 15, 2013 from 

 

Share

Comments

comments powered by Disqus