Did you know?

HIV is the third leading cause of death among Blacks (HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet,2006). New HIV cases among Blacks have continued to increase from 25 percent in 1985 to 49 percent in 2004. In real numbers, Blacks account for 18,121 (49 percent) of the estimated 37,331 of new HIV/AIDS cases diagnosed in the United States.

The primary reason attributed to this alarming rate of HIV/AIDS is unprotected sex with an infected partner then passing the virus to other unsuspecting partners. Sexual practices such as serial sex with multiple partners and bisexuality account for a majority of new HIV infections. Drug use with unclean needles, the sharing of needles, and other high risk behaviors are associated with the spread of the disease among Black men. Black males who are unaware of their serostatus are also a significant risk factor. In a
study, the CDC found that 67 percent of men who participated in the Behavioral Surveillance System were unaware that they were infected with the disease.

In addition, in 2005 Black men had the highest rates of
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Black men were 18 times more likely to have gonorrhea than white men and five times more likely to have syphilis. Other risks factors include the concealment of one's sexual preference resulting in behavior leading to spreading of the disease to unsuspecting partners. Some studies have found a correlation between poverty and higher HIV infection.

This information comes from the 2008 report from the FL Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys.