AIDS AND THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN - THE TRIPLE BURDEN OF RACE, CLASS, AND GENDER

The disproportionate impact of human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV) d isease on African American women is devastating to their lives, their families, their communities, and our society. Among AIDS cases in wome n, 52.5% are black. African American women with HIV disease constitute one of the least powerful and most burdened segments of society. The African American woman whose behavior places her at risk for HIV infec tion must be the focus of increased prevention and treatment efforts. This article will describe risk factors for HIV infection and AIDS edu cational needs of women at risk. The interaction of race, gender, and social class will be explored. The controversy over medical manifestat ions of HIV will be addressed within the context of the social reality of African American women at risk. Reproductive rights and public pol icy issues will be discussed. Health educators must overcome their fea r, class prejudice, and racial bias in order to form the interracial c oalition necessary to lead our nation in the struggle to stop the deva station of AIDS among African American women and children.