ATLANTA, April 27 (UPI) -- HIV rates were higher among African-American and Hispanic men, according to U.S. HIV diagnosis rates from 2001-2004 for gay and bisexual men.
In addition, black men who have sex with men were significantly less likely to be alive three years after AIDS diagnosis than were Hispanic or white men who have sex with men, according to the study published in the American Journal of Public Health under "First Look."
The researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta said the poorer outcomes for minority men may be tied to later diagnosis or lack of adequate access to treatment.
Among men who have sex with men, overall HIV diagnosis rates remained stable from 2001 to 2004, however, rates increased among younger age groups: 14 percent among those ages 13 to 19 and 13 percent for those ages 20 to 24.
HIV intervention programs should be tailored to the needs of and behavioral context for black and Hispanic youth for effective prevention and to address stigma, distrust and health literacy to improve access to HIV prevention and care, the study authors suggest.
