Did you know that HIV/AIDS is the leading case of death for African American women ages 25-34 years old (CDC,2008.).
African American women account for a large percentage of the total HIV cases due to the lack of being tested.In 2006, Black women accounted for 61% of new HIV cases among women, but make up only 12% of US female population. The rate of HIV diagnoses for African American women is 15 times the rate for Caucasian women (Univ of Cali, 2007).
The numbers are changing daily and unforunately, as of right now they are increasing not decreasing. African American women from all walks of life, different economic backgrounds, religions, social lifestyles and political factors are being infected. The percentage of women with HIV have transmitted in many different ways; infected needles, sexual partners, spouses an blood transfusions.
Something needs to be done to get these numbers down. This is why it is so important for us an individuals to make sure we are taking full responsibilities for our actions.
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Picture: tffcam.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/hiv.jpg
First off, I have to say you are doing a tremendous job with your blog! The numbers of people with HIV do need to come down for sure, and that can only come through everyone educating one another and suggesting that people get tested not only for HIV, but other STDs that might be unknowingly in their body. As the leading cause of death for that age group, I can't seem to rationalize why there is not more of a public awareness about it even though I can think of some good reasons. Perhaps through this course, our education that we are obtaining can benefit not only our own minds, but maybe the lives of other people that we are close with.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that black women accounted for 61% of new HIV cases. It is a shame that this percentage could have been smaller if people were tested. I agree with you that something must be done to get the numbers down. More education is needed in all age groups to ensure that people make more informed decisions.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I love your creativity and picutre!
Allison, please combine your blogs instead of making them separate. It makes it easier for comments that I have to make. I like that you are using pictures. Perhaps you can teach this to the other students so they can make their blogs more visually appealing.
ReplyDeleteAvert is one of many sites that I would use as a reference. They have some fabulous stuff on there that makes for interesting reading.
I like your Did You Know piece. It is extremely important that African American women stand up and voice their opinions. I realize that many don't feel they have that right, but if they don't, their numbers will continue to climb. Younger women such as yourself need to take the lead to start the changes. Speak out; spread the word about what you are learning in this class to all your sisters and let them know they can have control.
Great job Allison, pictures are great add ons. I wish I had the time and knowledge to add some on my own blog. I'm not very socially network savvy or computer savvy for that matter. Its very important that women period be tested and educated. I think in today's society we are too busy dividing each other that we never unite to make a loud voice. I would love to live in a world where we don't differentiate between race of a person and just keep it to this girl, that guy. If we want to make a loud impact on anything then we need to learn to unite as one.
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