Ethnic and racial minority groups continue to experience
substantial disparities in health care. The health disparity
is particularly evident in the area of HIV/AIDS. In the
United States, ethnic and racial minorities make up 24% of
the population. However, they comprise 67% of the new AIDS
cases. This is over burden of disease is especially evident
in African Americans who in 1999 comprised 12% of the
population yet represented 47% of AIDS cases and
approximately 57% of the new HIV cases.
Since 1985, the percentage of AIDS cases has decreased
overall. However, the percentage of AIDS cases has increased
among people of color with the most dramatic increase seen
among African Americans. African American males have an AIDS
case rate over seven time that of their white counterparts.
African American women have an AIDS case rate of over 20
times that of white women. African American children made up
62% of the new AIDS cases among children reported in 1998.
African American children under the age of 13 have an AIDS
case rate 16 times the rate for white children.
Despite the advances in AIDS drug therapies that have
resulted in dramatic decreases in AIDS deaths since 1996,
ethnic and racial minorities continue to lag behind whites.
Overall, HIV is the 9th leading cause of death for African
Americans. However, it is the leading cause of death for
African Americans between the ages of 25-44.