HIV/AIDS in The United States Facts, statistics, distribution

The United States –General Overview Total Population - 318.9 million (3rd) GDP (nominal) - $18.124 trillion (1st) GDP (PPP) - $54,597 (10th) Life expectancy – 79 (34th) The United States –General Overview

HIV/AIDS in The United States 1,218,400 are infected with HIV (aged 13 -) 1,194,039 are infected with AIDS (aged 13 -) Gay and bisexual men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV By race, Black and Hispanic are the most affected Number of people living with HIV has increased, while the annual number of new HIV infections has remained relatively stable 50,000 new HIV infections per year 47,352 people were diagnosed with HIV (2013) 26,688 people were diagnosed with AIDS (2013) 13,712 died from AIDS related causes (2012) 658,507 have died from AIDS overall HIV/AIDS in The United States

Social factors contributing to the transmission and spread of HIV/AIDS Social stigma and the uncomfortability surrounding the subject of HIV/AIDS and homosexuality stopped much federal action from being taken place. A “profound re- medicalization of sexuality” Discrimination and homophobia can also discourage individuals from seeking testing, prevention, and treatment services. This is a major reason why 156,300 (12.8%) cases are either unaware of their infection or have not reported it Social factors contributing to the transmission and spread of HIV/AIDS A front page cover of the “Moral Majority Report

The first know case of HIV in the United States was the death of Robert Rayford in 1969 due to complications of AIDS (however it wasn’t know it was HIV at the time) A common misconception is that “Patient Zero”, a gay, Canadian flight attendant named Gaëtan Dugas, was the first person in the world to contract HIV. This is untrue however as reports of HIV have been seen as far back as 1959 in Africa. Historical factors contributing to the transmission and spread of HIV/AIDS Gaëtan Dugas

Lower socio-economic factors, particularly in the African and Hispanic minorities lead to disproportionate amounts of HIV/AIDS infections White American average household income – US$54,857 Hispanic and Latino Americans – US$41,534 African American – US$38,705 People with lower socioeconomic standing are at risk of: Earlier initiation of sexual activity and less frequent use of condoms (Adler, 2006). Unstable housing and homelessness has been linked to risk for HIV infection, including intravenous drug use and unsafe sexual behaviors (Aidala, Cross, Stall, Harre, & Sumartojo, 2005) Economic factors contributing to the transmission and spread of HIV/AIDS Table showing the disproportionate amount of black and Hispanic men living with HIV

Former US president Ronald Reagan, whose supporters are infamous for being highly conservative, was in power at the time of the first sightings in America in 1981. As mentioned earlier , this created a stigma of discrimination and fear among the supposed “Moral Majority” Government indifference caused, by 1987, 36,058 infections were reported and 20,849 had died of AIDS Political factors contributing to the transmission and spread of HIV/AIDS 40th President of The United States, Ronald Reagan

Those with lower socioeconomic standing can have limited access to health care, HIV testing, and medications A lack of access to these vital services can lead to undiagnosed cases and stop lowering levels of HIV in the blood of known cases. Technological factors contributing to the transmission and spread of HIV/AIDS

Treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS in America Travel restrictions were put in place in 1993 to restrict entry for people with HIV or AIDS. This has been removed as of 2006. In 1996, anti-HIV treatments (including antiretroviral drugs) saw a rapid decrease in deaths and a modest decrease in new infections For those uninsured there is the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, a nation wide policy. In June 2007 the program provided coverage for 102,000 (30%) of those infected with HIV Treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS in America

AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power is an HIV/AIDS advocacy group established in 1987 in New York Their goal: To bring about legislation, medical research and treatment and policies to ultimately bring an end to the disease by mitigating loss of health and lives. What they’ve done: Protest at Wall Street and Broadway to demand greater access to experimental AIDS drugs and for a coordinated national policy to fight the disease in 1987 and 1988 Shut down the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for a day through protests in 1988 A “Stop the Church” campaign in 1989 designed to fight against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese's public stand against safe sex education in New York City Public Schools and condom distribution ACT UP

HIV/AIDS in New York New York population – 10,000,000 Over 100,000 people living with HIV/AIDS 60% are living with AIDS HIV/AIDS is the third leading cause of death in the 35-54 age bracket New York has an infection rate three times higher than the country’s average 75% infected are male MSM is the largest cause for spread (30% of total) Heterosexual sex and IV make up 40% 80% are African-American or Hispanic HIV/AIDS in New York

Responses in New York (HASA) HASA (HIV/AIDS Services Administration) Established in early 1980 in New York One of the first local responses to HIV Aims in assisting people living with HIV/AIDS to improve their quality of life HASA assisted over 45,000 New York citizens in 2011 Provided over 9000 people with housing as well as providing cash assistance for rent Also provide home and personal care, transport assistance, referrals to health and community services and employment and vocational training and support for people returning to the workforce Responses in New York (HASA)