The Prevalence of HIV in the USA

AIDS is a severe infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This virus affects the person by killing the white blood cells responsible for protecting against infection and illnesses that result in pathogens. In the United States, approximately 1.1 million people are affected by AIDs. The prevalence of HIV among different ethnic groups varies. This is explained to be affected by many factors ranging from the persons' economic, social and religious perspective (Arrivillaga, 2011). Furthermore, it differs differently between males and females in the USA. Understanding the prevalence and the incidence rate of a community will enable prior control of the disease through initiating specific public health interventions.  

            The distribution of AIDS varies differently among the different sexual groups available in the USA. For instance, the transgender group has over 2% of the total new infection confirmed cases among the latest cases. Of these, transgender males accounted for 1%, and the rest the female transgender. Furthermore, among gay and bisexual men, the rate of HIV infection accounted for up to 69% of the total new cases reported in 2018. Furthermore, the same was recorded among the Lesbian community. In addition, the same statistic applied among heterosexuals with an increasing rate of infections of 24% new cases in 2018. This is the same in my community, although there are not many individuals among transgender members in the USA.  

            HIV/AIDS is spread in many ways. One of these ways is through the sharing of needles and sharp objects without sterilizing them. However, this practice is common among drug users who inject themselves with heroin or other drugs (El-Bassel, Wechsberg & Shaw, 2012). Furthermore, drug use decreases a person's ability to make sound judgments and may engage in reckless activities such as unprotected sex. This has led to the consequent escalation of the number of patients who have AIDS. The number of HIV infections among addicts of hard drugs is critical, with new infections appearing each day. The prevalence of AIDS among drug addicts involved in needles and piercing objects is high in my community.

            Among the total inhabitants in the USA, the infection rate was highest among the black Africans in the country. The number of blacks infected totalled 42 % of the new HIV infections and accounted for 13% of the total population. Latinos followed, accounting for 27 of the total new infection. The socioeconomic status of the individuals primarily influenced this. The black citizens often exhibit a low economic level. Their social life also compromises and exposes them to HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. Such include drug abuse and engaging in unprotected sexual activities. Furthermore, due to racism, black citizens are often exposed to poor housing, unemployment, and poverty, increasing their vulnerability to AIDS.

            Furthermore, the distribution of AIDS is not uniform. For example, the prevalence of HIV infections is high among occupants in South America, who account for 12.6% of the total infections. In addition, the northeastern region accounted for up to 9.7% of the real patients. Furthermore, these regions are inhabited by a more significant percentage of the black population. There are substantial numbers of members of the LGBT group (Smalley, Warren & Barefoot, 2016). These, combined with the inhabitants' socioeconomic status, increase the prevalence of the disease among the people. In my community, the same is evident, and there lies a massive responsibility of people to protect themselves at the personal level.

            To effectively handle the prevalence and incidence rate of AIDS, there need to be an understanding its spreading, people at risk, and those already infected. This kind of information will provide an experience and enable a targeted approach to the illness. Furthermore, it will give insight into the most suitable means of dealing with the infection. To protect yourself, avoid unprotected sexual contact, avoid sharing needles and piercings, etc. The prevalence of the disease is more in South America than in North America (Reif et al., 2014).