Study seeks to debunk myths about HIV-infection among black women

Oct 30 2009

NPR explores the reasons for the high rates of HIV/AIDS infection among black women: "African-Americans, who only make up 1+2 percent of the U.S. population, account for nearly half of those living with HIV. More specifically, black women represent 61 percent of the new HIV cases among all women.

The popular suspicion has been that many infected black women have contracted the virus from their black male companions, who secretly have sex with other men (also known as the 'down low'). But a new study shows that correlation is flawed. Dr. Kevin Fenton, of the Centers for Disease Control, explains the misconception and talks about prevention." Fenton discusses the relationship of various factors including incarceration, multiple sex partners, unprotected sex and drug use and HIV-infection (Martin, 10/28).