AIDS Study Shows Increased Risk for Heterosexuals

EVANSTON, IL - A recent study conducted by the Henry J. Kaiser Foundation indicates that heterosexual men account for a growing proportion of new AIDS cases in America. Despite common misconceptions, the foundation’s analysis illustrates a clear decrease in cases involving homosexual men, and an increase in cases involving women.

According to the study, heterosexual transmission was responsible for 31% of newly diagnosed American cases in 2005. Heterosexual transmission accounted for only 3% of cases 20 years earlier.

This increase in heterosexual exchange is coupled with a 22% decrease in transmission between homosexual men over the same period. Between 1985 and 2005, cases attributed to sex between men fell from 65% to 43%.

“Those numbers don’t really surprise me at all,” said Rachel Hirsch, a sophomore at Northwestern University. “AIDS doesn’t discriminate and it doesn’t choose a community to infect. Everybody has to be cautious, not just homosexual men.”

The study also indicates a large increase of AIDS cases involving women. In 1985 women accounted for 8% of American cases. In 2005, 27% of new AIDS victims were women, and of those women two thirds were African American.

Jasmyn Jones, the president of Northwestern’s HIV/AIDS Literacy Organization, says she is aware of the inaccuracy of certain stereotypes surrounding the AIDS epidemic.

“Evolutionarily, HIV/AIDS is associated with white gay men,” said Jones, 20. “But it has become a disease that affects women – and even more – minority women.”

According to the Kaiser study, homosexuals did account for 58% of men diagnosed with AIDS in 2005. However, 42% of male transmission was heterosexual. Such a high proportion demonstrates the misleading nature of calling AIDS the “Gay Disease.”

Krissy Schanbacher, another Northwestern sophomore, says she has heard erroneous references to AIDS for years and hopes studies like those of the Kaiser Foundation will help to reduce faulty stereotypes.

“False precepts die hard,” said Schanbacher. “A lot of people who make sweeping generalizations about those affected by the AIDS virus are usually just uninformed. The truth is right there if you aren’t too ignorant to see it.”

Marcus Randle, the Program Coordinator for the Carepoint Adult, Child & Family Association, says he has numerous homosexual and heterosexual clients. Many are also women who are involved in high-risk sexual relations with men who have HIV or AIDS.

“The stereotype is incorrect at this point,” said Randle. “The gay community has spent 25 years fighting the disease and they are actually on the forefront of the battle against it. They have the most knowledge and have seen the most people die from AIDS.”