HIV and African American People: Prevention Challenges

Related Pages

Racism, discrimination, HIV stigma, and homophobia have a negative impact on the overall health and well-being of African American people. Additionally, poverty and the associated socioeconomic factors—including limited access to high-quality health care, housing, and HIV prevention education—directly and indirectly increase the risk for HIV. Addressing these social and structural barriers and encouraging safe and supportive communities can help improve health outcomes for African American people.

Other factors that can increase African American people’s chances of getting or transmitting HIV include:

icon of a vial of blood

Low percentages of viral suppression. African American people have lower percentages of viral suppression compared to all people with HIV. Getting and keeping an undetectable viral load (or staying virally suppressed) can prevent transmission to others.

Blue stethoscope

Mistrust in the health care system. African American people experience high levels of mistrust of the health care system. Lower levels of trust can reduce the likelihood of engaging in HIV treatment and care.

icon of doctor bag

Other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). African American people are disproportionately affected by chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Having another STD can increase a person’s chance of getting or transmitting HIV.

  1. CDC Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2019. HIV Surveillance Report 2021;32.
  2. CDC. Estimated HIV incidence and prevalence in the United States, 2015–2019. [PDF – 3 MB] HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2021;26(1).
  3. CDC. Monitoring selected national HIV prevention and care objectives by using HIV surveillance data—United States and 6 dependent areas, 2019. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2021;26(2).
  4. Randolph SD, Golin C, Welgus H, Lightfoot AF, Harding CJ, Riggins LF. How perceived structural racism and discrimination and medical mistrust in the health system influences participation in HIV health services for Black women living in the United States South: a qualitative, descriptive study. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care2020;31(5):598-605. PubMed abstract.
  5. Beer L, McCree DH, Jeffries WL 4th, Lemons A, Sionean C. Recent US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention activities to reduce HIV stigma. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care2019;18:1-5.
  6. CDC. Sexually transmitted disease surveillance, 2019. Accessed January 18, 2022.
Top of Page