Research has shown that there is a strong correlation between certain geographic areas and the AIDS epidemic. High prevalence of HIV exists in states with large metropolitan regions such as New York. This tends to be the case because there is a high concentration of minorities situated in these areas [15]. Mainly the problems associated with the minority community have centered on the relationship between social institutions and their regard to AIDS in this population. The term social institution refers primarily to the Black Church. The factors that contribute to these strained relationships deal with the lack of prevention methods for reaching the high risk groups. Among the currently infected population, it is seen in individuals between the ages of twenty-five and forty-four. There has also been an increased amount of the adolescent population being infected with the virus [7]. Significant debates that have focused on the high occurrence of the AIDS epidemic within these demographics target the primary religious institutions that restrict access to resources and educational information.
The African American Church has been slow in responding to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. As many African Americans regard the church as a prominent figure, it is surprising that research has shown that few churches are dealing with the problem in an efficient manner. An important prospect of HIV/AIDS programs is the involvement of the entire church [13]. The Church is a viable option for implementing programs that could greatly impact the spread of the disease. “The Church has been a site of social activism and health education within the black community [15].”
Research conducted by a study team constructed questions and posed them to ministers of black churches in northeastern metropolitan areas. The ministers provided demographic information about their congregations and answered questions regarding health programs that were available within the church and around the community. The majority of the congregations were African American female but varied in size. Out of the twenty-two ministers that were selected to participate in the study, about eighteen of them responded. It was concluded that a majority of the churches neither provided HIV/AIDS prevention programs nor general health services.
The reasons for the lack of services bordered along the lines of inadequate funding for programs and understaffed or unqualified members to coordinate and manage the programs. Another significant problem with the church system was that ministers did not acknowledge high risk members within their congregation such as homosexuals or IV-drug users [15]. Because of the social stigma associated with these groups, it is difficult to address individuals with these problems because they are not always likely to report it to the church officials. The information given was reported directly from the pastors who relied on their own perspectives. In actuality, there may be more homosexuals/bisexuals or IV-drug users than reported because people are keeping it from being known to others. Therefore, there might be a larger number of people affected with HIV/AIDS than confirmed. Seeing as the majority of the congregations tended to be African American females, programs would greatly serve the purpose of educating that population about prevention methods. The primary factors for lacking HIV/AIDS prevention services were due to insufficient aid and not because of morality factors. It is most often generalized that churches which fundamentally opposed homosexuality and premarital sex would be reluctant to offer services for HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness.
The results of the study construed that the majority of the churches are willing to work with the public health department to find new ways to reach these demographics. In the Smith et al. article, many federal programs were presented that can be applied to for funding such as Faith-Based Initiative and Balm in Gilead. Both organizations work to give black churches the platform they need to address the epidemic by providing culturally mindful services. “It is important to understand that church-based programs need to be looked at in terms of partnership, where the ultimate end is concern for the health and the well-being of the body [13].”