Analysis of Various Health Components for a Specific Region - Essay Example

The Center for Disease Control (2013) posits that “American American heterosexual women continue to be far more affected by HIV than women of any other race or ethnicity, and young black gay and bisexual men now account for more new infections than any other group in the United States” (1). This paper describes the various aspects of HIV/AIDS in African-Americans in Southern United States. Today, approximately 1.1 million people are living with HIV in the United States. Out of these, half are African-Americans.

The distribution of HIV infection is not evenly distributed in the US. The Southern region has the highest percentage of African-Americans infected with this disease. According to CDC statistics, 61% of new contagions were posited among the African-Americans. Results from studies done by the CDC also show that 44% of new contagion came from African-Americans. It is of significance to posit that the total population of the African-American population account for 12% in the United States. The most affected age group is between 25 and 44 years of age.

Women are more affected as compared to men (Center for Disease Control, 2013). Some cultures and religions influence the burden of HIV/AIDS. Globally, a large percentage of HIV infections arise as a result of sexual relationships between people of the opposite sex. However, HIV infection in US is higher in homosexual males and males who engage in sexual intercourse with both males and females. It has been witnessed over the recent past where some religious groups are embracing homosexuality especially among Christians (Mooney, Knox and Schacht, 2009).

Therefore, HIV is more likely to be more prevalent among Christian African-Americans as compared to other religions. The main message aimed to be delivered through this research is the importance of being tested. AIDS is the final and serious stage of HIV. Undergoing regular tests helps n the identification of the disease. Those found positive starts their medication appropriately while those found negative are advised on safe living habits to avoid infection.CDC statistics indicate that approximately 19% of African-Americans do not known they have the disease.

Consequently, many of them become aware of the fact that they are infected when HIV has grown to AIDS. Out of all ethnic groups in the United States, African-Americans account for the largest percentage of total AIDS associated deaths. These deaths can be significantly brought down if incidence of the disease is detected early enough (Sublette, 2008). Most African-Americans affected by HIV in the southern part of the country are of low socioeconomic class. According to Lorber and Moore (2002), in the southern part of US with high incidences of infections among women, many Blacks are unemployed.

These regions are characterized by large percentage drug abusers, there are a lot of adolescent pregnancies, high incidences of STD’s, learning institutions are insufficient, inefficient hospitals, and deep-rooted poverty. There are some ethical issues that may be factors in developing prevention and intervention programs for HIV/AIDS. One o the most prevalent ethical issue associated with HIV/AIDS is stigma. There is a lot of shame and disgrace associated with the disease and some individuals have been discriminated when proved to have the disease.

Prevention and intervention programs can be created geared towards lessening incidences of stigmatization. This is because stigma can lead to the spread