Core 116

Spread of HIV/AIDS Among African Americans in Connecticut

The actualization of an NEP van in the city of Bridgeport is not, however, the only feature of the necessary HIV/AIDS prevention program. Indeed, an entirely separate strategy is necessary to address the problem of prevention within the African American community. Throughout the United States, and more specifically Connecticut, HIV/AIDS has been sweeping through the African American population. In Connecticut the AIDS rate for the black population is 1620, compared to 197 in whites and in Bridgeport, the black rate for People Living with AIDS (PLWA) is 1104, nearly twice the national average of 650 (23).

Although these statistics are incriminating enough on their own, when coupled with the complete lack of prevention funding in Bridgeport the problem becomes truly appalling. In Connecticut, for example, although there were 1248 African American IDU living with AIDS, only $623 was spent per person, compared to $2521 per person spent on white heterosexuals (2). According to the Connecticut Comprehensive HIV Prevention Plan for 2005-2006, such gaps in medical care are a direct result of service barriers, such as fear, isolation, economic issues, transportation, and a lack of cultural understanding (2). However, with the implementation of culturally relevant intervention meetings designed to increase education and teach such as fundamental skills as negotiation, such problems can be eradicated.

Table 3