Black Americans account for only 14 percent of the U.S. population, yet they account for 52 percent of all new HIV infections each year. It's official: Regardless of race, we can no longer afford to be in denial and believe that HIV is a white gay disease. And while the statistics are daunting, that doesn't mean that the battle cannot be won. We have to collectively educate ourselves about the disease, get tested to know our status and take control of our health. Who's ready to fight back? ![]() Getting Heterosexual Black Men Involved in HIV Prevention, Part 1 When we discuss the AIDS epidemic in black America, heterosexual men are often missing from the conversation. But in order to fully address this epidemic head on, this forgotten demographic must be included. In this roundtable discussion, TheBody.com speaks with Iris House's Ingrid Floyd and Housing Works' Larry Bryant to discuss the many barriers to getting straight black men involved and what each are doing to help bridge this gap. ![]() This Positive Life: Cassandra Whitty Despite showing numerous symptoms related to HIV/AIDS and having multiple hospital trips, Cassandra Whitty fell through the testing gaps, and was misdiagnosed with an autoimmune disease. This mother and grandmother shares her experiences grappling with her diagnosis, how disclosing made all the difference, and why being an HIV/AIDS advocate is her life's calling. ![]() 10 Black HIV/AIDS Advocates Who Are Making a Difference As HIV/AIDS continues to affect black people more than any other ethnic group in the U.S. and around the world, we have seen some amazing advocates rise out of this troubling epidemic. To honor that work, we want to highlight some amazing leaders whose tireless work continues to inspire us all.
Louisiana: Struggling With HIV Stigma
Warfarin and ARVs: Impact of African-American Race and Ritonavir Marvelyn Brown: Marvelous Connections -- A Blog Entry by Robert Breining Tamara Taylor: Actor, Activist This Positive Life: An Interview With Bernard Jackson |
"I've been ridiculed and criticized because of my HIV status," Louisiana resident Millicent Foster writes; "But that has just made me more determined." Millicent, a TheBody.com reader and a 51-year-old mother of three, shares how she faced addiction and tragic loss, turned her life onto a different path, and learned to draw from her family and her faith for support. Read more first-person stories ![]() HIV & Me: An African American's Guide to Living With HIV This easy-to-read guide from TheBody.com provides the basics of living with HIV and taking HIV meds. |




















