Black Women And Aids

• Leading cause of death for Black women (including African American women) aged 25–34 years.
• 3rd leading cause of death for Black women aged 35–44 years.
• 4th leading cause of death for Black women aged 45–54 years.
• 4th leading cause of death for Latina women aged 35–44 years.
• The only diseases causing more deaths of women are cancer and heart disease
• The rate of AIDS diagnosis for Black women was approximately 23 times the rate for white women and 4 times the rate for Latina women
• In 2006, teen girls represented 39% of AIDS cases reported among 13–19 year-olds. Black teens represented 69% of cases reported among 13–19 year-olds; Latino teens represented 19%.

These statistics were from 2006. It’s now 2010 and AIDS is spreading even more rapidly in our community. As someone who has sex, A LOT, with multiple partners, I cannot express how important it is for EVERYONE to get tested. There are a lot of LIARS out here. Just because someone tells you they recently went to the doctor, clinic, or OBGYN, doesn’t mean that they really did. People are scared and ashamed of finding out their STD/HIV status.

I know personally, everytime I go, I’m nervous. Nobody likes being poked with needles and having their penis swabbed, but it’s what MUST BE DONE. In addition, don’t go half asses with your test. Be thorough and complete. Test for throat cancer, vaginal cancer, Hep. B, etc…