AIDS rates among U.S. blacks rival Africa


WASHINGTON, Jul 29, 2008 (UPI via COMTEX) -- The AIDS epidemic among
African-Americans in some parts of the United States rivals that in some parts
of Africa, researchers say.

The report, published by the Black AIDS Institute, an HIV/AIDS think tank
focused exclusively on African-Americans, found that while blacks represent only
about one in eight Americans, half of those living with HIV in the United States
is black, CNN reported.

"AIDS in America today is a black disease," said Phill Wilson, founder and chief
executive officer of the institute and himself HIV-positive.

He said 2006 data indicates about half of the just over 1 million Americans
living with HIV or AIDS are black.

In the District of Columbia, more than 80 percent of HIV cases are among black
people.

"Five percent of the entire (D.C.) population is infected. ... That's comparable
to countries like Uganda or South Africa," Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN.



URL: www.upi.com


Copyright 2008 by United Press International

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