‘[…] New technology and methodology developed by CDC show that the incidence of HIV in the United States is higher than was previously known. However, the incidence has been stable at that higher level for most of this decade. […] The new estimates show that gay and bisexual men of all races and ethnicities and African American men and women are the groups most affected by HIV. Fifty three percent of all new infections in 2006 occurred in gay and bisexual men. African Americans, while comprising 13% of the US population, accounted for 45% of the new HIV infections in 2006.
The analysis revealed some encouraging signs of progress as well as significant challenges. Findings documented reductions in new infections among both injecting drug users and heterosexuals over time. Yet, the findings also indicate that HIV incidence has been steadily increasing among gay and bisexual men since the early 1990s, confirming a trend suggested by prior data showing increases in risk behavior, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV diagnoses in this population throughout the past decade. The analysis also found that new infections among blacks are at a higher level than any other racial or ethnic group, though they have been roughly stable, with some fluctuations, since the early 1990s. The new estimates highlight the need for expanded HIV prevention services and should serve as a wake-up call that the US HIV/AIDS epidemic is far from over. […]’
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/incidence.htm
What do we take from this? Firstly, that the CDC has corrected its figures significantly upwards and does indeed refer to HIV/AIDS as an epidemic.
Secondly, that while there is a significant problem with reaching MSM (and therefore a growing infection rate while the overall rate is stable - maybe even a result of education targeted at the heterosexuals?) a whopping 31% of infections in 2006 happened in a heterosexual context - anyone who refers to that as negligible needs to wake up: identifying and focusing on risk groups only, while ignoring the significant remaining risk puts lives in danger.
Thirdly, that there is an overrepresentation of black and hispanic victims (that’s what you call people who are inflicted with a disease, however acquired) - which is consistent with the argument that socio-economic factors play a significant role in affecting risk behaviours.
I know that it’s a bit of a sport here to wish away complex social phenomena with simplifying words such as ‘choice’ and ‘stupidity’ - and that is exactly where part of the problem lies: choice is based (correct) information and the ability to understand it and implement measures consistently. Unfortunately sex related and especially HIS/AIDS related information is consistently affected by socio-economic factors:
'[…]Homophobia and Concealment of Homosexual Behavior
Homophobia and stigma can cause some black MSM to identify themselves as heterosexual or not to disclose their sexual orientation. Indeed, black MSM are more likely than other MSM not to identify themselves as gay. The absence of self-identification or the absence of disclosure presents challenges to prevention programs. However, data suggest that these men are not at greater risk for HIV infection than are black MSM who identify themselves as gay. The findings of these studies do not mean that black MSM who do not identify themselves as gay or who do not disclose their sexual orientation do not engage in risky behaviors, but the findings do suggest that these men are not engaging in higher levels of risky behavior than are other black MSM.
Socioeconomic Issues
Socioeconomic issues and other social and structural influences affect the rates of HIV infection among blacks. In 1999, nearly 1 in 4 blacks were living in poverty. Studies have found an association between higher AIDS incidence and lower income. The socioeconomic problems associated with poverty, including limited access to high-quality health care, housing, and HIV prevention education, may directly or indirectly increase the risk factors for HIV infection.’
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/aa/challenges_partner.htm
Makkun