Behavior & Attitudes
HIV / AIDS

HIV is an equal opportunity disease; however, its impact varies across the country. Its rampage is disproportionally distributed by ethnicity, sexuality and economically.

BEHAVIORAL ATTITUDES about HIV / AIDS

Community Impact

HIV is an equal opportunity disease; however, its impact varies across the country. Its rampage is disproportionally distributed by ethnicity, sexuality and economically. There has been a recent decrease among women with an increase in the gay male and bisexual male community. Relative to their population in the United States, Blacks, and Latinos account for a disproportionate share of new infections. People living in poverty or low-income neighborhoods are reported and documented to have higher incidents of alcohol and non-prescription drug usage.

Those suffering with mental illness is also considered to have a higher incidence of infection due to poor impulse control and possessing behaviors that seek risk and sensation. Victims of abuse (sexual, emotional, and or physical) are prone to drug and alcohol over usage, leading to risky sexual behaviors.

New diagnoses are more concentrated in large metropolitan areas such as Miami, Los Angeles, and New York. The less educated and income challenged have a higher rate of infection.

INTERESTING FACTS about HIV/AIDS

  1. Approximately 1.2 million people in the U.S. have HIV. About 13% of them are unaware of their infection.

  2. HIV continues to disproportionally impact certain populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities, and gay and bisexual men.

  3. Primarily, newly diagnosed HIV women contract the infection through straight men.

  4. Women are twice more likely to acquire HIV from a man during intercourse than a man contracting from a woman during intercourse.

  5. Women account for 20% of new diagnosis and deaths caused by AIDS.

  6. One in nine women with HIV are unaware of their infection.

  7. The number of women with HIV giving birth annually is unknown. Estimates are less than five thousand.

  8. Perinatal diagnoses are decreasing thanks impart to ART.

  9. In recent years, the number of new HIV diagnoses are decreasing in the U.S.

  10. HIV diagnoses are not evenly distributed across the states and regions. The highest new diagnoses continue to occur in the South.

  11. People infected with HIV are more prone to other infections and certain types of cancer.

As mentioned earlier there have been billions of dollars spent to combat this devastating disease. Since the infamous introduction of HIV/AIDS into the reality of our world and existence, programs have been established through private and federal funds to provide health insurance, health care and support to persons with HIV. Some of the most prominent programs offering hopes are The Ryan White Program, the Housing Opportunities for Person with HIV/AIDS (HOPWA), Medicaid, and Medicare. For those who are disabled Social Security’s SSI and SSDI are available. Federal and state supported prevention services are available through local health departments and grass root community efforts.

The Affordable Care Act of March 2010 provides health care prevention and treatment services for millions of citizens with HIV or who are at risk. The National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) was released in July 2010 that evokes a comprehensive plan to address the HIV epidemic. Its goals are to implement protocols that will reduce new infections, increase access to care with expectations of improved health outcomes and a reduction in HIV related health disparities. In July 2013, President Obama issued an Executive Order to establish an HIV Care Continuum Initiative to mobilize and coordinate federal efforts in response to new advances with regards to prevention and treatment.

Since its inception in 2010, the NHAS is periodically revisited to ensure the goals are being met.

The National HIV/AIDS Strategy Vision and Goal - The United States will be a place where new HIV infections are prevented, every person knows their status, and every person with HIV has high-quality, care and treatment, lives free from stigma and discrimination, and can achieve their full potential for health and well-being across the lifespan.

The vision includes all people, regardless of age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, geographic location, or socio-economic circumstances.

Doing Our Part

As Professional Beauty Practitioners collectively we have a vast audience with many opportunities to offer awareness and education regarding this devastating disease. With each of us doing our part we can someday eradicate this disastrous virus from our existence. Here are some suggestions and resources that can be used in our efforts:

  • Volunteer with your local HIV/AIDs service organization.

  • Talk with your friends, family, and clients about HIV/AIDS.

  • Sponsor an HIV/AIDS education event or fundraiser at your salon/spa.

  • Urge government officials to provide adequate funding for HIV/AIDS research, prevention, education, medical care, and support services.

  • Speak out against AIDS-related stigmas and discrimination.

  • Support continued research into better treatments, new prevention methods and ultimately a cure for HIV/AIDS.

  • Stay current with continued education.

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Beahvior & Attitudes
HIV / AIDS

4 HOUR CONTINUING EDUCATION