HIV/AIDS and the American Woman

The face of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is a woman. The vast majority of the faces are women of color. In the United States, women of color are at the highest risk for HIV/AIDS. And although impacted at lower rates, white women are nonetheless at risk, too.

According to the CDC, "of 9,708 women diagnosed in 2005, seventeen percent of them were U.S. white women, based on data from 33 states with long-term confidential name based HIV reporting." Indeed, given the impact the disease has on all American women, it is an issue that goes grossly underreported.

HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for black women (including African American women) aged 25 to 34. And, for all women, and all ethnicities and races, the largest number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses during recent years was for women aged 15-39.

For most women living with HIV/AIDS, the challenge is the layers of racial and gender inequity that exists in our systems and communities.

Over the next few weeks view the faces of the women, their voices and their stories, as well as what is being done around the country and the globe, to support them.

My goal and hope is to raise awareness and create ongoing dialogue that will educate and inspire us all to action.

Please share your comments and thoughts.

HIV AIDS Discussion Toronto Conference Aug 15 2006

PBS Newshour Charlayne Hunter Gault - HIV/AIDS Discuss Toronto Conference Aug 15 2006

Babes Network - HIV in Black and White

BABES Network-YWCA is a sisterhood of women facing HIV together. BABES was started by a group of HIV positive women in Seattle, Washington who came together to share information, experiences and support.

BABES is founded on the concept that HIV positive women are uniquely qualified to understand and to encourage one another.
BABES is dedicated to building a community among women from all walks of life who are facing HIV and AIDS. BABES offers a women-centered environment and assures confidentiality.

Kaiser Family Foundation webcast What Would it Take to Eliminate the Disproportionate Burden of HIV/AIDS Among African-Americans?

Marsha Lillie-Blanton, Dr.,Ph.d

Senior Advisor
Race, Ethnicity and Health Care, Kaiser Family Foundation
Session Moderator

Kevin Fenton, M.D., Ph.D.
Director

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC

Phill Wilson
Executive Director

Black AIDS Institute

Jennifer Kates, M.A., M.P.A.
Vice-President, Director

HIV PolicyKaiser Family Foundation