RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES IN HIV+ CLIENTS AGE 50 AND OVER
OBJECTIVE: The study will compare the racial and ethnic disparities for clients age 50 and over seeking HIV counseling and testing at publicly funded sites in New Jersey. Three areas will be compared (1) HIV+ clients, (2) clients having no health insurance and (3) clients on Medicaid or Medicare.
METHODS: Analyzing data collected for (12) months in 1996, 1997, 1998 and (10) months for 1999 from more than 240 publicly funded testing sites are analyzed.
RESULTS: From the data collected 11,058 clients age 50 and over were tested. In that group 41% (4,567) were White, 41% (4,516) African American and 16% (1,766) Hispanic/Latino. During this study period, 463 tested HIV+ with 67% (310) African American, 17% (77) Hispanic/Latino and 15% (71) White. For Whites testing HIV+, 5.3% had no health insurance compared to 35% for African Americans and 8.4% for Hispanic/Latino. For clients testing HIV+, on Medicaid or Medicare, 13% were Whites compared to 23% for African Americans and 5.8% Hispanics/Latinos.
CONCLUSION: Since the beginning of the epidemic, African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos have been disproportionately affected by HIV. Race and ethnicity, however, are not in and of themselves “risk factors” for acquiring HIV disease. Because African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos suffer more from poverty, discrimination, a lack of access to health care, and lack of health insurance, they are at an increased risk for HIV and other infectious diseases. Eliminating these contributory co-factors can significantly reduce the racial and ethnic disparities relative to HIV disease.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to assess and analyze the social economic status of HIV+ clients in their states over the age of 50
Keywords: Social Inequalities, HIV/AIDS
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services
Division of AIDS Prevention and Control
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.