HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infects cells of the immune system. Infection results in the progressive deterioration of the immune system, breaking down the body’s ability to fend off infections and diseases. AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome) refers to the most advanced stages of HIV infection, defined by the occurrence of any of more than 20 opportunistic infections or related cancers. 34 million people live with HIV/AIDS world-wide. The vast majority are in low- and middle-income countries. An estimated 2.
7 million people were newly infected with the virus in 2010. Almost 1100 children become newly infected with HIV each day (who. int), infection rates as high as 25% in southern and eastern Africa. In 2006 the HIV prevalence rate among pregnant women in South Africa was 29. 1 (avert. org). HIV/AIDS is one of the worlds most growing problem is now starting to become a pan-epidemic. AIDS death toll in Africa may reach 90–100 million by 2025 (United Nations). The number of people living with HIV grew around 8 million in 1990 to 34 million by the end of 2010 only 10 year increase.
Sub-Saharan Africa has an estimated 22. 9 million adults and children living with HIV/AIDS vs. Oceania and Western & Central Europe with 54,000 and 840,000 adults and children living with HIV/AIDS. Also Sub- Saharan Africa had 1. 2 million AIDS related deaths within children and adults vs. Oceania who had 1,600 children and adults who died from the disease. Epidemics in Asia has also remained almost stable and still has a large number high risked group with 4 million children and adults living with HIV/AIDS (avert.org).
AIDS was first recognized in the USA in 1981 and in the first year, cases in African Americans were reported for 23 gay men [Centers for Disease Control (CDC), unpublished data], six heterosexual men and women [6], and nine injection drug users (IDU) (CDC surveillance, unpublished data). In 1998, an estimated 106,240 African Americans were living with AIDS [7], and in 1998, 10,787 African Americans were reported newly diagnosed with HIV (not AIDS) in the 33 states then conducting confidential HIV surveillance.
The African American community is facing the worst of the epidemic within all racial or ethnic groups in the US alone. African Americans account for a higher percentage of HIV infections, in 2009 black man accounted for 70% of all new HIV infections. Also black men who have sex with men (MSM) represented an estimated 73% of new infections among all black men, and 37% among all MSM. In 2009, black women accounted for 30% of the estimated new HIV infections, according to the Center of Disease and Control Prevention.
African Americans face the most severe burden of HIV of all races in the US. African American makes up only 14% of the US population in 2009 but accounted for 44% of all new HIV infections that year. African Americans make up more cases of HIV/AIDS then any other group because of the lack of education and also because of the underground phenomenon with Down Low Men. In 2009, black men accounted for 70% of the estimated new HIV infections among all blacks.
The estimated rate of new HIV infection for black men was more than six and a half times as high as that of white men, and two and a half times as high as that of Latino men or black women. In 2009, black men who have sex with men (MSM) represented an estimated 73% of new infections among all black men, and 37% among all MSM. More new HIV infections occurred among young black MSM (aged 13–29) than any other age and racial group of MSM. In addition, new HIV infections among young black MSM increased by 48% from 2006–2009 (CDC).