Box 11. Reducing Higher Rates of HIV/AIDS among Minorities in the United States Figures from the U.S. Government show that HIV prevalence among some minority populations in the US is higher than other groups. For example, African Americans constitute 13% of the population yet represent nearly half of new HIV cases. Hispanic and Latino communities are 15% of the population but 17% of new HIV cases. These groups also have shorter life expectancy once diagnosed with HIV. Broadly speaking, the differences are attributed to higher incidences of poverty, higher rates of injecting drug use, sexually transmitted diseases or unprotected sex, and cultural stigma around sexual health issues and social norms of sexuality. The Minority AIDS Initiative, created in 1998, is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ larger Initiative to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health by the year 2010. The Minority AIDS Initiative provides funds to community-based organizations, faith communities, research institutions, minority-serving colleges and universities, health care organizations, state and local health departments, and correctional institutions to help them address the HIV epidemic within the minority populations they serve. The Ryan White Treatment Modernization Act of 2006 codified the Minority AIDS Initiative. The National Minority Aids Council (NMAC), created in 1987, represents a coalition of 3,000 CSOs and AIDS service organizations delivering HIV/AIDS services in ethnic, racial and religious minority communities nationwide. An example of a specially targeted programme by an AIDS service organization is the American Red Cross Hispanic HIV/AIDS Programme, which aims at raising HIV/AIDS awareness for Hispanic communities. The bilingual programme was created based on languages, customs, family relationships, spirituality, sexuality and health beliefs of Hispanic and Latino communities. Sources: NMAC: www.nmac.org; US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): http://www.cdc.gov/ hiv/hispanics/index.htm; http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/ topics/aa/index.htm; Red Cross: http://www2. redcross.org/services/hss/hivaids/hispanic.html Chapter 4: Minorities in Development 71