AETC-NMC | Curricula

Summary

HIV has affected individuals of every race, ethnicity, age group, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and lifestyle for more than 3 decades. But not every population has been affected equally, and certain groups continue to have HIV prevalence rates out of proportion to their percentage of the total US population. Disproportionately affected populations include:

African Americans in general have higher prevalence rates of HIV infection, with some groups within the African American community at higher risk than African Americans generally. Complex historical and cultural factors—including racism and discrimination, poverty, denial, stigma, homophobia, and limited access to healthcare services—have all contributed to African Americans’ greater vulnerability to HIV infection.
Representing approximately 16% of the US population, in 2009, Hispanics accounted for 20% of new HIV infections. HIV infection rates among this population were nearly 3 times higher than among whites.
Throughout the HIV epidemic, men who have sex with men (MSM) have represented the largest percentage of people diagnosed with HIV infection and AIDS. MSM with a history of injection drug use have higher rates of infection.
Comprising about 1% of the total number of US HIV cases, Asians and Pacific Islanders have been experiencing steadily increasing numbers of HIV diagnoses.
Although the numbers of HIV cases among American Indian/Alaska Natives (who comprise 1.5% of the total US population) remain small, relative to their population size, members of this population group rank third in rates of HIV diagnoses.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that, of the approximately 1.2 million HIV-positive Americans, 1 in 5 (20%; approximately 240,000) are not aware of their infection [CDC HIV Surveillance 2011]. This substantial number of undiagnosed infections underscores the importance of promoting routine HIV testing, so that these persons can access care, thereby enhancing their own health and reducing community-level HIV viral burdens.

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	3. Promoting HIV Testing in Diverse Populations Curricula 1 2 3 4 AETC-NMC Home Curricula Home Glossary Feedback

	About Curriculum 3 Module 1: U.S. HIV Epidemiology Learning Objectives & Pretraining Assessment The HIV Epidemic in the United States The HIV Epidemic, cont. By Risk Group Key Events in the US HIV Epidemic (early 1980s - late 1990s) (2000 - present) African American Populations Hispanic/Latino Populations MSM Populations Asian and Pacific Islander Populations American Indian/Native Alaska Populations Summary References Assessment Questions Module 2: Recommendations for Routine HIV Testing Learning Objectives & Pretraining Assessment Development of HIV Screening Recommendations Rationale Underlying the 2006 Recommendations Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing Summary References Assessment Questions Module 3: Benefits of Early Testing and Risks of Delayed Testing Learning Objectives & Pretraining Assessment Timing of Initiation of HAART Guidelines on Starting Antiretroviral Therapy Benefits Associated With Early Therapy Initiation Diagnosis in the ED Risks of Delayed HIV Diagnosis and Treatment Summary References Assessment Questions Module 4: Barriers to Testing and Strategies to Improve Rates of Routine HIV Testing Learning Objectives & Pretraining Assessment Discovering Barriers to Wider Use of HIV Screening Provider-Related Barriers Impact of State and Local Laws and Regulations Population-Specific Barriers Factors That Impede HIV Testing Among Latinos Factors That Impede HIV Testing Among American Indians/Alaska Natives Factors That Impede HIV Testing Among Asian/Pacific Islanders Strategies to Improve Routine HIV Testing Working With Community Organizations Summary References Assessment Questions Module 5: HIV Testing Technologies Learning Objectives & Pretraining Assessment Point-of-Care Testing vs Laboratory-Based Testing Confirmatory Tests Availability of Results Point-of-Care Testing Issues Key Resources for Understanding and Employing HIV Testing Technologies Summary References Assessment Questions Case Studies Suggested Activities	Summary HIV has affected individuals of every race, ethnicity, age group, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and lifestyle for more than 3 decades. But not every population has been affected equally, and certain groups continue to have HIV prevalence rates out of proportion to their percentage of the total US population. Disproportionately affected populations include: African Americans in general have higher prevalence rates of HIV infection, with some groups within the African American community at higher risk than African Americans generally. Complex historical and cultural factors—including racism and discrimination, poverty, denial, stigma, homophobia, and limited access to healthcare services—have all contributed to African Americans’ greater vulnerability to HIV infection. Representing approximately 16% of the US population, in 2009, Hispanics accounted for 20% of new HIV infections. HIV infection rates among this population were nearly 3 times higher than among whites. Throughout the HIV epidemic, men who have sex with men (MSM) have represented the largest percentage of people diagnosed with HIV infection and AIDS. MSM with a history of injection drug use have higher rates of infection. Comprising about 1% of the total number of US HIV cases, Asians and Pacific Islanders have been experiencing steadily increasing numbers of HIV diagnoses. Although the numbers of HIV cases among American Indian/Alaska Natives (who comprise 1.5% of the total US population) remain small, relative to their population size, members of this population group rank third in rates of HIV diagnoses. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that, of the approximately 1.2 million HIV-positive Americans, 1 in 5 (20%; approximately 240,000) are not aware of their infection [CDC HIV Surveillance 2011]. This substantial number of undiagnosed infections underscores the importance of promoting routine HIV testing, so that these persons can access care, thereby enhancing their own health and reducing community-level HIV viral burdens. « BACK NEXT »
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3. Promoting HIV Testing in Diverse Populations

Summary