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HIV/AIDS Data

According to Florida’s 2012-2015 Statewide Coordinated Statement of Need and Comprehensive Plan, blacks historically account for over 50% of the reported AIDS cases; however, they represent only 15% of the adult population over the past 10 years and remain fairly constant.

Out of 916 cities in the state of Florida, Boynton Beach[1] is the 39th most populated having a total of 71,097 people. The largest Boynton Beach racial/ethnic groups are White (53%) followed by Black (30%) and Hispanic (13%).  According to the 2012 U.S.  Census[2], the racial makeup of the cities is as follows: 

Population
Black or African American
White, not Hispanic
American Indian and Alaska Native
Asian
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander
Two or more races
Hispanics or Latinos of any race

 BB
30.3%
53.6%
  0.3%
  2.2%
  0.0%
  2.2%
12.8%

WPB
32.5%
41.6%
  0.5%
  2.3%
  0.1%
  2.7%
22.6%

RB
65.9%
22.9%
  0.4%
  0.1%
  2.3%
  2.3%
  7.4%

PBC 
18.2%
58.7%
  0.6%
  2.6%
  0.1%
  1.6%
20.1%

Florida
16.0%
57.9%
  0.4%
  2.4%
  0.1%
  2.5%
22.5%

When the national surveillance data is released annually, we see the increasing toll the AIDS epidemic takes on the African American communities. The question we ask each year, why AIDS hits black Americans hardest?  We believe the HIV/AIDS epidemic in African American communities result from a complex set of social, individual and environmental factors (cited in the National Minority AIDS Council “Building Healthier Communities,” 2006).

The HIV/AIDS stigma causes personal and social behaviors to change such as developing fears, being in denial, isolating, and barriers to seeking medical treatment. Programs and services for PLWA’s are also stigmatized. By examining these underlying causes of vulnerability African Americans face with HIV/AIDS, our proposal attempts to provide culturally specific solutions to address the stigma, lack of awareness and silence in the local fight against HIV and AIDS.

HIV-related deaths and HIV death rates are highest among Blacks. Blacks accounted for 56% of deaths due to HIV in 2009[1] and their survival time after an AIDS diagnosis is lower on average than it is for most other racial/ethnic groups. Blacks also accounted for almost half of new AIDS diagnoses (49%) in 2011 (AIDS being the most advanced form of HIV disease).[2]   In 2010, Blacks had the highest HIV death rate per 100,000 – 11.6, compared to 2.8 per 100,000 Latinos and 1.1 per 100,000 whites.

[1]Florida Demographics:  “Boynton Beach Demographics.” http://www.florida-demographics.com/boynton-beach-demographics. 7/8/14.
[2]U.S.  Census Bureau: “State and County QuickFacts.”  10-Jan-2013, http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/1207875.html. 6/8/14.
[1] NCHS.  “Deaths: Final Data for 2010.” National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol.  61, No.  4; May 2013.
http://kff.org/hivaids/fact-sheet/black- americans-and-hiv-aids/. 9/14/14.
[2] CDC.  HIV Surveillance Report, Vol.  23; February 2013.  HIV diagnosis data are estimates from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 6  U.S.  dependent areas.  Rates do not include U.S.  dependent areas. http://kff.org/hivaids/fact-sheet/black-americans-and-hiv-aids/. 9/14/14.