Minority Women's Health

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HIV/AIDS

Minority Women's Health > Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians > Health Topics > HIV/AIDS

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV weakens your immune system, which makes it hard for your body to fight off other health problems that it could normally resist. As time goes on, your body becomes less able to fight off diseases.

• Use latex condoms every time you have any kind of sex (vaginal, oral, or anal).
• If you use drugs and cannot or will not stop injecting drugs, use new, sterile syringes to prepare and inject drugs.
• If you're getting a tattoo or having your body pierced, ask what procedures they use to prevent the spread of HIV. If they do not use new, sterilized, or disinfected equipment, go somewhere else.

Publications

1.   Women and HIV/AIDS — Minority women have a higher risk of getting HIV/AIDS than white women. This web site explains why all women are at risk for HIV/AIDS. It talks about risk factors, prevention, getting tested, and common myths about HIV/AIDS. It also has a section for women living with HIV or AIDS. Women and their families can also use this web site or the resources it lists to learn more about HIV/AIDS and pregnancy, legislation and rights, financial assistance, research and clinical trials, personal stories, and AIDS worldwide.

   http://www.womenshealth.gov/HIV/

2.   HIV Infection In Women — AIDS is the fifth leading cause of death for women ages 35 to 44 in the United States. This fact sheet addresses the special concerns that women with HIV/AIDS face.

   http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/HIVAIDS/Understanding/Population+Specific+Information/womenHiv.htm...

3.     HIV/AIDS Among Asians and Pacific Islanders — This fact sheet contains statistics, risk factors and barriers to prevention, and prevention techniques for HIV/AIDS infection among Asians Americans and Pacific Islanders.

   http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/PDF/API.pdf

4.     How to Protect Yourself From AIDS — This publication gives an overview of HIV/AIDS and how to lower your risk of getting HIV by using female and male condoms. This publication also gives information on how to get tested for HIV.

   http://www.fda.gov/opacom/lowlit/aids.pdf

5. HIV Factsheets (Copyright © APIAHF) — This online publication discusses HIV/AIDS in the Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian community. It talks about the different types of testing for HIV/AIDS and the cultural factors that keep many in this group from getting tested. The fact sheet has suggestions for how local and federal health programs can reach out to those at risk.

   http://www.apiahf.org/programs/hivcba/resources/facts.htm

Organizations

1.   AIDS.gov
2.   Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention, CDC, HHS
3.   National Prevention Information Network, CDC, HHS
4.   Office of Minority Health, OPHS, OS, HHS
5. Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum
6. Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations
7. National Minority AIDS Council

= Indicates Federal Resources

Current as of December 2007