African American Women and HIV/AIDS

It's hard to believe that African American women make up 60% of all women living with AIDS. How is that possible? Is it because, as many think, some African American males are living on the 'down-low' as bi-sexual, infecting their wives and girl friends as a result? Is it promiscuity among African American women who have sex with multiple partners and 'feel they don't have a choice' to practice safe sex and don't? Is it injecting heroin and drug abuse? Some would argue the large number of African American men incarcerated in our prisons and the homosexuality practiced within contribute as well when they are paroled. Still other site the continued disparity in health care for people of color. Then there's the black church whose leaders fail to have an open, honest dialogue with their parishioners about HIV/AIDS.We need to inform and educate, to fight for state and federal funds to set up counseling programs in schools and community centers. Left alone AIDS/HIV will continue to run rampant in our community.