Among racial/ethnic groups, the annual increase in the number of HIV+ diagnoses among MSM (men who have sex with men) was highest among Asian/Pacific Islanders at 12.1 percent.
HIV/AIDS is a sensitive topic not only among Filipino Americans, but also among the Asian American community. According to the below article, the Asian and Pacific Islander community in the United States experienced a 12.1% rise in HIV diagnoses--the highest among all ethnic groups. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25398121)
According to a 2005 study by the Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center in San Francisco, Filipinos constitute 33% of HIV+ cases among Asian and Pacific Islanders in the city. This is the largest percentage among all API ethnicities:
By A&PI ethnicity: Filipinos (33%), Chinese (23%), Japanese (12%), Pacific Islander (8%), Southeast Asian (9%), Korean (2%), and "other" (13%) ( http://www.apiwellness.org/stats.html)
What is it about Asian Americans, and more specifically, Filipino Americans that may influence the rise of this health issue in our community? If Asian and Pacific Islanders are experiencing the largest increase in HIV diagnoses, does our culture play a factor in the ways in which we choose to engage in risk behaviors?
HIV Diagnoses Increase among Asian and Pacific Islander Men
Raise HIV awareness to prevent the disease from spreading
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Article by Ben Cabangun
July 3, 2008
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