| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
April 3, 2009
|
Media Contacts:
Krishna Stone, Assistant Director, Community Relations, 212-367-1016
Half of Americans believe HIV stigma reinforces
anti-gay bias, research shows
Blacks, Latinos more concerned about HIV than whites; most Americans support increased government spending for HIV prevention and care
April 3, 2009, New York, NY — Gay Men's Health Crisis today released an analysis of recent public opinion data on HIV/AIDS. The study shows that, while many public perceptions of HIV/AIDS and people living with HIV/AIDS have changed significantly since the 1980s, some have not changed at all. For example, in 2006 half of Americans (50%) believed that HIV/AIDS contributes to anti-gay bias, the same proportion that believed this two decades earlier in 1986 (49%).
While most Americans have become more educated and enlightened about HIV/AIDS, an examination of public opinion polling data from recent years indicates that HIV-related stigma remains high. Many Americans do not want to work with an HIV-positive person, share an apartment with one, or have an HIV-positive individual teaching their children.
Americans remain concerned about HIV, with black and Latino Americans more concerned than whites. More than four in five Americans say AIDS is a problem, with a plurality saying it is getting worse. While Americans view cancer as the top health issue facing the country, HIV and heart disease are virtually tied for second most important health issue.
Nearly two thirds of Americans support higher government spending on HIV prevention and care, even as local and state governments slash spending in this area due to the fiscal and economic crisis. The public also has significant concerns about the confidentiality of HIV testing and written, informed consent.
"These findings reinforce two pressing needs of the HIV/AIDS community: our education efforts are limited and not teaching all communities at highest risk, and the public agrees that added resources are desperately needed to fight the epidemic," said Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer at GMHC. "We are hopeful that the new leadership in Washington will work tirelessly to ensure adequate resources support HIV prevention and treatment programs are based in science and address the diverse realities of the communities at greater risk," added Hill.
The report on public opinion and HIV/AIDS was authored by Ethel Klein of EDK Associates, please click here to download a PDF of the report.
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About GMHC
Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. We provide prevention and care services to more than 15,000 men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City, and advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.
Our Mission: GMHC fights to end the AIDS epidemic and uplift the lives of all affected.
© 2009 Gay Men's Health Crisis |
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