Linking West Indians in Midwest America
THE HIV/AIDS EPIDEMIC IN THE CARIBBEAN - THIS IS SERIOUS!!!
At the end of 2007, an estimated 230,000 people were living with HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean. Some 17,000 people were newly infected during 2007, and there were 11,000 deaths due to AIDS.
In three of the larger countries in this region - the Bahamas, Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago - more than 2% of the adult population is living with HIV. Higher prevalence rates are found only in sub-Saharan Africa, making the Caribbean the second-most affected region in the world. More than half of adults living with the virus are women.
The predominant route of HIV transmission in the Caribbean is heterosexual contact.
Homophobia and cultural taboos about sex between men are major barriers to prevention campaigns.
"With HIV, because it's seen as a gay thing, there's a lot of shame. If someone finds out they are positive, they're afraid that everyone will assume they are gay, so it's best to keep it to yourself." - HIV Positive man, Jamaica -
• Women comprise an increasing share of those with HIV/AIDS in the region, now accounting for 43% of adults estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS, up from 37% in 2001.
• The epidemic has always affected those who are young, and young people continue to be at risk. Young women are especially vulnerable. Some country-level studies within the region have found infection rates among young women 2 to 6 times higher than their male counterparts.
• There are approximately 10,000 children under the age of 15 living with HIV/AIDS in the region.
According to recent studies, almost two in every 100 Caribbean residents between the ages of 15 and 50 are infected with HIV, and a growing number of cases are occurring among individuals who are between 15-44 years of age, the most labor-productive segment of the population.
In sum, the spread of AIDS has become a threat to regional development and regional security in the Caribbean. However, further advances will require international cooperation. Such assistance should include the support of public and private partnerships to improve access and availability of HIV/AIDS treatment AND THIS WILL ONLY OCCUR IF THE CARIBBEAN DIASPORA WAKE UP...AND REALIZE THAT I AM MY BROTHER'S KEEPER!!!
In three of the larger countries in this region - the Bahamas, Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago - more than 2% of the adult population is living with HIV. Higher prevalence rates are found only in sub-Saharan Africa, making the Caribbean the second-most affected region in the world. More than half of adults living with the virus are women.
The predominant route of HIV transmission in the Caribbean is heterosexual contact.
Homophobia and cultural taboos about sex between men are major barriers to prevention campaigns.
"With HIV, because it's seen as a gay thing, there's a lot of shame. If someone finds out they are positive, they're afraid that everyone will assume they are gay, so it's best to keep it to yourself." - HIV Positive man, Jamaica -
• Women comprise an increasing share of those with HIV/AIDS in the region, now accounting for 43% of adults estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS, up from 37% in 2001.
• The epidemic has always affected those who are young, and young people continue to be at risk. Young women are especially vulnerable. Some country-level studies within the region have found infection rates among young women 2 to 6 times higher than their male counterparts.
• There are approximately 10,000 children under the age of 15 living with HIV/AIDS in the region.
According to recent studies, almost two in every 100 Caribbean residents between the ages of 15 and 50 are infected with HIV, and a growing number of cases are occurring among individuals who are between 15-44 years of age, the most labor-productive segment of the population.
In sum, the spread of AIDS has become a threat to regional development and regional security in the Caribbean. However, further advances will require international cooperation. Such assistance should include the support of public and private partnerships to improve access and availability of HIV/AIDS treatment AND THIS WILL ONLY OCCUR IF THE CARIBBEAN DIASPORA WAKE UP...AND REALIZE THAT I AM MY BROTHER'S KEEPER!!!
- Attachments:
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Caribbean Fact Sheet.pdf, 190 KB
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