Social Determinants of HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Diseases Among Black Women: Implications for Health Equity

Abstract

Recent epidemiologic reports show that black women are at risk for HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). In this report, we go beyond race and consider a number of social and economic trends that have changed the way many black women experience life. We discuss poverty, loss of status and support linked to declining marriage participation, and female-headed single-parent household structure-all of which influence sexual risks. We also discuss the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-led national efforts to advance consideration of social determinants of health (SDH) and promotion of health equity in public health activities that may have impact on black and other women.

The Girlfriends Project: Results of a Pilot Study Assessing Feasibility of an HIV Testing and Risk Reduction Intervention Developed, Implemented, and Evaluated in Community Settings

“…At some point in her life, one in 32 African American women will be diagnosed with HIV (Centers for Disease Control, 2013). Although HIV infection is a biological event and exposure to the virus is primarily facilitated by human behaviors, it has been well documented that its impact is significantly moderated by multiple interrelated factors, such as poverty and its associated issues (Cené et al, 2011;Latkin, Curry, Hua, Davey, 2007;Sharpe, 2012) as well as poor access to testing and health care services (Nearns, Baldwin, & Clayton, 2009;Tello, 2008).…”

A Multilevel Understanding of HIV/AIDS Disease Burden among African American Women

“…Concurrent sexual partnerships, as opposed to sequential partnerships, provide increased opportunity for rapid viral spread (Grieb, Davey-Rothwell, & Latkin, 2012). Contextual factors that fuel concurrent sexual partnerships in the African American community include low male-to-female sex ratio, economic oppression, racial discrimination, and high incarceration rates of Black men Sharpe et al, 2012). Specifically, researchers have documented that a greater shortage of males and higher incarcerations rates among Non-Hispanic African American men nearly double the odds of having two or more partners (Pouget, Kershaw, Niccolai, Ickovics, & Blankenship, 2010).…”

Factors Associated with African American Women’s Sexual Health and Risk Behavior: A Mixed Methods Study

“…Through its concentration on holistic wellness, sexual health encompasses components that involve: accepting individual sexuality and sexual rights, experiencing sexual pleasure, educating individuals about sexual health, and reducing negative outcomes related to sexual behavior (Douglas & Fenton, 2013;Robinson et al, 2002;World Health Organization, 2002). Recent approaches taken toward sexual health have begun to recognize both the individual and social determinants involved in achieving this state of well-being (Satcher, 2013;Sharpe et al, 2012;World Health Organization, 2002). In an effort to embrace individual awareness and the cultural or societal impact on sexuality, research and prevention programs have started to address the multiple domains that comprise the concept of sexual health (Douglas & Fenton, 2013;Robinson et al, 2002).…”

“…The variety of factors influencing the sexual health of groups stems largely from the influence of culture, life experiences, and the social norms accepted by individuals (Robinson et al, 2002;Sharpe et al, 2012). Research indicates that for AAW, culturally congruent models of sexual health and interventions used to address its components should reflect cooperation between individuals, family and community, faith-based organizations, cultural inspiration to survive obstacles, and behaviors derived from accepted stereotypes (J.…”

“…In addition to recognizing the impact of emotional and relational factors, researchers have also begun to acknowledge the important impact of social factors on the sexual health of AAW (Douglas & Fenton, 2013;Sharpe et al, 2012). Research has examined race or ethnic background, the communities in which individuals reside, access to healthcare, economic status, social networks, and communication patterns to determine their influence on AAW's sexual health (Bancroft et al, 2011;Biello, Ickovics, Niccolai, Lin, & Kershaw, 2013;McLellan-Lemal et al, 2013;Murray et al, 2013;Sharpe et al, 2012).…”