AIDS is a condition which progresses to failure of the immune system allowing opportunistic life threatening infections to take over. It is a pandemic that currently affects nearly 33 million adults and 2.5 million children worldwide. AIDS infects 7,000 new people every day. HIV, human immunodeficiency virus is the cause of AIDS. The virus has so far been proven to be unbeatable, hiding within our immune cells. Reflexively and rapidly mutating, mysteriously persisting in the gut, kidneys, liver and brain only to come roaring back to life almost the moment the drugs are stopped. It is estimate that the United States of America currently has around 1.2 million people living with HIV. Further, nearly one in eight that are infected are unaware …show more content…
It is a well-known fact that HIV/AIDS is most prevalent in men having sex with other men (MSM). Gay men are at a higher risk of HIV/STD’s. Research suggest that LGBT lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender individuals face more health disparities linked to social stigma, discrimination and denial of civil and human rights. They also have a higher risk of drug, alcohol, and tobacco use. Per statistics lesbians are less likely to seek preventive services. Discrimination against LGBT population have associated with higher risk of mental illness, substance abuse and even suicide. The second disparity is Income. Poverty can limit access to health care, HIV testing and medications. Those who cannot afford the basics in life may end up in circumstances that increase risk for HIV infection. Poverty leads to more unemployed and has a direct correlation to the lack of a high school education. When it comes to contracting HIV, living in poverty is one of the greatest risk factors of all. Many cannot afford insurance, so they shun testing, and hide their status until their health deteriorates beyond measurable help thus letting the virus