Only around one in three African Americans with HIV are receiving adequate treatment for the syndrome. This is despite the fact that many drugs currently exist to help manage symptoms. This announcement was made by U.S. health officials, coordinated with the 14th annual Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on 8 February. Officials state African-Americans are affected by the disease to a far greater degree than Caucasians.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention report African-Americans are the victims of 47 percent of new HIV diagnoses every year. That population makes up just 12 percent of all Americans.
Cases of HIV infection among women, ages 17-34, of African descent have been declining over recent years. One lingering concern among health officials is these young women are waiting longer before seeking treatment for their disorder.
Washington DC is hit hard by HIV and AIDS, especially among the African-American population in the nation's capitol. Yvette Alexander, a council member from Ward 7 in the city released a statement, chronicling the problem among residents of Washington.
"In the nearly 32 years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, we have seen the devastating impact it has had here in the District of Columbia as well as the remarkable turnaround we are witnessing today," Alexander wrote.
More than 30,000 people came out during a winter day in Washington to show their support for victims of AIDS and HIV. The city touted an aggressive campaign to lower the transmission rate in the nation's capitol, as well as treat those already infected with the virus. Washington DC currently offers HIV testing free to all residents.
Social status and economics plays a large role in the spread of HIV and AIDS among African Americans, according to sponsors of the DC-based event.
"If you don't have the means to see a doctor, you may not get treatment. If you cannot afford the basics in life, you may end up in circumstances that increase your risk and affect your care. If we are going to have an impact on what's going on in terms of the disproportionate rates of HIV among the African American community... we are going to have to tackle some of those social and economic issues," Donna Hubbard McCree, associate director of CDC's Health Equity Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, said.
Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is held every on 7 February every year, in a effort to educate and mobilize local communities to become encourage testing and treatment. With continued testing and treatment, organizers are hoping that, one day, their event will not be needed.
