Black Americans are disproportionately criminalized for living with HIV. Here's how

"Black people in the U.S. aren't just more likely to have HIV - they're more likely to be criminalized for it. Black Americans accounted for about 38 percent of new HIV diagnoses and 39 percent of people living with HIV in 2023, according to a report from the Williams Institute, despite making up around 12 percent of the population. Black women had the highest HIV diagnosis rate at 19.6 per 100,000, which is about 11 times the rate for white women at 1.8 per 100,000."

"Black Americans are more likely to be criminalized for their HIV as well, as they are often subjected to "heightened surveillance, arrest, and conviction within the criminal legal system," according to the report. In 64 percent of states analyzed, they faced higher rates of arrest than their share of people living with HIV. For example, Black people in California were 6 percent of the state population and 18 percent of people living with HIV, but 39 percent of HIV-related arrests."

Black Americans accounted for about 38 percent of new HIV diagnoses and 39 percent of people living with HIV in 2023 while comprising around 12 percent of the population. Black women experienced the highest diagnosis rate at 19.6 per 100,000, roughly eleven times the rate for white women. Black males ages 13 to 24 made up 47 percent of youth diagnoses. Only 64 percent of Black Americans with HIV received care and 53 percent were virally suppressed. Black adults ages 19 to 64 lacked health insurance at 12.3 percent versus 6.8 percent for white adults. Black people faced higher rates of HIV-related arrest and harsher post-conviction penalties in many states, with California and Tennessee cited as stark examples of disproportionate arrests and registry representation.

Read at Advocate.com