Abstract
The number of African-born residents living in the United States (US) increased by more than 750 % between 1980 and 2009.
HIV diagnosis rates in this population are six times higher than estimated incidence in the general US population. African-immigrants
with HIV are also diagnosed at later stages of infection than US-born residents, but they paradoxically have lower mortality
after diagnosis. There are higher rates of HIV among women, higher rates of heterosexual transmission, and lower rates of
injection-drug-use-associated transmission among African-born residents in the US relative to the general US population. Despite
this distinct epidemiologic profile, surveillance reports often group African-born residents with US-born Blacks. The high
rates of HIV among African-born residents in the US combined with increasing immigration and incomplete surveillance data
highlight the need for more accurate epidemiologic data along with appropriate HIV service programs.
HIV diagnosis rates in this population are six times higher than estimated incidence in the general US population. African-immigrants
with HIV are also diagnosed at later stages of infection than US-born residents, but they paradoxically have lower mortality
after diagnosis. There are higher rates of HIV among women, higher rates of heterosexual transmission, and lower rates of
injection-drug-use-associated transmission among African-born residents in the US relative to the general US population. Despite
this distinct epidemiologic profile, surveillance reports often group African-born residents with US-born Blacks. The high
rates of HIV among African-born residents in the US combined with increasing immigration and incomplete surveillance data
highlight the need for more accurate epidemiologic data along with appropriate HIV service programs.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-012-9691-6
- Authors
- Demetri A. Blanas, Department of Health Evidence and Policy, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1077, New York City, NY 10029, USA
- Kim Nichols, African Services Committee, New York City, NY, USA
- Mulusew Bekele, African Services Committee, New York City, NY, USA
- Amanda Lugg, African Services Committee, New York City, NY, USA
- Roxanne P. Kerani, Public Health Seattle and King County, Seattle, WA, USA
- Carol R. Horowitz, Department of Health Evidence and Policy, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, One Gustave L. Levy Place, Box 1077, New York City, NY 10029, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912