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Minorities Lag in HIV Treatment: Annual Survey Finds Infection Rate Steady

Posted on: Tuesday, 18 April 2006, 09:01 CDT

By Jeremy Olson, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.

Apr. 18--Delayed diagnosis of HIV infections among minorities is harming their chances for treatments and increasing the risk of spreading the sexually transmitted disease, according to Minnesota's annual surveillance report.

Four in 10 Hispanics and three in 10 African immigrants already had AIDS when they were first diagnosed with HIV infections, according to the 2005 state report. AIDS is an advanced, incurable level of HIV infection.

"Some of (the delay) could be an issue of stigma," said Luisa Pessoa-Brandao, the HIV/AIDS surveillance coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Health. "People don't necessarily want to know."

The overall number of HIV infections has remained steady in Minnesota. There were 304 new cases diagnosed last year, compared with 302 new cases per year on average since 1993.

Infections among intravenous drug users have declined, but new cases among gay and bisexual men have steadily increased, according to the report. Gay and bisexual men accounted for 60 percent of the new cases in the past three years, even though they comprised less than 5 percent of the state's population. Racial minorities also make up a higher proportion of HIV cases.

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus, which attacks the body's protective T-cells. When too few T-cells are left, an infected person is diagnosed with AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

The state has reported 7,824 people with infections since 1982. One in three have died, though advances in treatment have reduced the AIDS death rate.

Jeremy Olson can be reached at jolson@pioneerpress.com or 651-228-5583.

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Copyright (c) 2006, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.

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Source: Saint Paul Pioneer Press (St. Paul, Minn.)

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