Expectations of racial prejudice in aids research and prevention programs in the United States

Don C. Des Jaríais, Cathy Casriel, Bruce Síepherson, Samuel R. Friedman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

HIV infection and AIDS have occurred at disproportionately higher rates among Black and Hispanic persons in the United States. The HIV epidemic is occurring within an historical context of racial prejudice and inequality within the society as a whole, and of poor health care for minority communities. We report instances of expectations of racial prejudice that affected three different AIDS research/prevention activities. Failure to anticipate and appropriately respond to these expectations of racial prejudice may substantially interfere with AIDS efforts and appear to confirm the expectations. Even with the best anticipation and responses, there will be many instances in which the problem cannot be satisfactorily resolved. The association of AIDS with minority status has the potential to reinforce stigmatization of minority communities. Prevention and research activities will often be caught in lose-lose situations of either “unfairly singing out” minorities or of ignoring the problems of minority communities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-8
Number of pages8
JournalDrugs and Society
Volume5
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1989

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Health(social science)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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