Structural and social contexts of HIV risk Among African Americans.
HIV continues to be transmitted at unacceptably high rates among African Americans, and most HIV-prevention interventions have focused on behavioral change. To theorize additional approaches to HIV prevention among African Americans, we discuss how sexual networks and drug-injection networks are as important as behavior for HIV transmission. We also describe how higher-order social structures and processes, such as residential racial segregation and racialized policing, may help shape risk networks and behaviors. We then discuss 3 themes in African American culture-survival, propriety, and struggle-that also help shape networks and behaviors. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of how these perspectives might help reduce HIV transmission among African Americans.
Friedman
Samuel R
SR
Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, National Development and Research Institutes, New York, NY, USA. friedman@ndri.org
Cooper
Hannah L F
HL
Osborne
Andrew H
AH
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011287:Prejudice; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States