Oakland Tribune Examines Alameda County, Calif.'s HIV/AIDS Epidemic Among African Americans

HIV/AIDS affects African Americans in Alameda County, Calif., at an even more disproportionate rate than it did five years ago, when the county became the first municipality in the nation to declare a state of emergency on HIV/AIDS among African Americans, the Oakland Tribune reports. In 1998, African Americans made up approximately 18% of the county's population but 42% of its AIDS cases. In 2002, African Americans represented about 50% of the county's AIDS cases, and African Americans account for 65% of the county's AIDS cases among women today, according to the Tribune. Although advocates and county officials say that the area has made "significant accomplishments" in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the African-American community, including increased awareness and "longer, fuller lives" for HIV-positive people, the five-year anniversary of the state of emergency "won't come with any fanfare or celebration," the Tribune reports (Vesely, Oakland Tribune, 11/2). The complete article is available online.

HIV and Youth
The Oakland Tribune on Sunday also examined efforts in Oakland, Calif., to fight HIV/AIDS among young people. According to UNAIDS, people between the ages of 15 and 24 account for approximately half of all new HIV infections worldwide. Although most HIV infections among young people occur in Africa and Asia, the Bay Area is also seeing HIV cases among young people (Vesely, Oakland Tribune, 11/2). The complete article is available online.

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