hiv/aids
... cause of death among Hispanic women in the same age group. In the year 2000, Latinos made up 13% of the U.S. population but accounted for 19% of new HIV infections and 17% of all AIDS deaths. About 110,000 to170, 000 Latinos are currently infected with HIV and about 62,000 are currently living with AIDS. The AIDS incidence rate for Latinos in 2000 was 22.5, over 3 times the rate for whites, but less than that for African Americans. The Latino community in the U.S. is very diverse, with a mix of ethnic groups and cultures. The rate of HIV infection in Latinos varies, depending on country of birth and where in the US they live. Latinos in the Northeast, Puerto Rico, and Florida, are among the populations at greatest risk for HIV. Mexican-born Latinos living in the Southern and Western U.S. had a risk of developing AIDS similar to that of the white population, while Puerto Rican-born Latinos had a risk several times greater than whites in every region of the U.S. Of the Latinos reported with AIDS in 2000, 60% were born in the U.S. The Alaskan Natives and the American Natives are one of the smallest minorities in the U.S.; they make up less than 1% of the population. But they are a very diverse group; they speak over three hundred languages and have over 550 federally recognized tribes. They’re health is worse than the general population of the United States. The incidents from they’re past such as forced relocation of communities and racism have led to higher poverty, unemployment, welfare dependency, alcoholism, drug abuse and domestic violence. Although this group only reported .3% of the cases of AIDS, this epidemic is growing within they’re community. From the period of December 1996- 1998 the number of HIV infections rose 33% and the AIDS increased by 24%.Besides poverty, alcohol, and drug abuse a leading cause of this like the others is men having sex with men. Asian Americans are the next group who has been stricken with this growing epidemic. They like the Native Americans are very diverse in that they speak over 100 languages and dialects. This community is one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the United States. Asian Pacific Islanders (API) account for 5,922 reported cases of AIDS in the U.S, and represent about 1% of AIDS cases. But these numbers differ by they’re different subgroups. From 1980 to 1985 Filipinos accounted for the highest number being 34%. Next was the U.S born Asians being Chinese at 12%, Asian Indians at 9% and Japanese at 6%. Not only does it differ by they’re subgroups but by they’re regions. Worldwide, 20% of current HIV infections come from Asia. The primary mode of transmission seems to be redundant within these groups, which is men having sex with and IV drug abuse. For the women it is the same including same sex relations. One big issue that prevents them from spreading this is the lack of communication. The topics of sexual behavior, illness and death are usually not discussed in their culture, which is stopping the spread of information about HIV/AIDS. Another HIV risk factor is the poverty rate which is twice that of a white family. In order to stop this from continuing and slow down the speed of this virus these different ethnic groups need to become more aware. Because homosexuality a...