High risk groups In the US, HIV is most commonly spread through sexual intercourse, be it anal or vaginal, and by sharing drug-use equipment (or works) with someone who is carrying the virus. While these risks are the same for everyone, HIV continues to devastate some risk groups more than others. Certain populations are at greater risk based on the fact that there are higher rates of HIV infection existing within their communities or population groups. This means that with each sexual or drug use encounter, they are placing themselves at heightened risk of contracting the virus. Furthermore, the different demographic, social, and economic factors of each distinct community can further attribute to the level of risk. These factors can include income, education, geographic region, or even prevalence of stigma and discrimination. High risk ethnic and racial groups: African Americans ● At the end of 2016, an estimated 476,100 African Americans had HIV. ● In 2017, there were 7,053 deaths among adult and adolescent African Americans with diagnosed HIV in the US. ● In 2018, African Americans accounted for 13% of the US population but 42% of the 37,832 new HIV diagnoses in the United States and dependent areas. ● Of the 37,832 new HIV diagnoses in the US in 2018, 31% were African American men and 11% were African American women. American Indians/Alaska Natives ● At the end of 2016, an estimated 1.1 million people had HIV. Of those, 3,600 were American Indian/Alaska Natives. Hispanics/Latinos ● At the end of 2016, an estimated 254,600 Hispanic/Latinos had HIV. National HIV/AIDS strategy As of July 2015, the Federal government has developed a National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States. Their vision is for the US to become a place free from new HIV infections, where all currently infected have free and equal access to high quality, life-extending care. In order to accomplish this goal, efforts must be taken in: ● Intensifying and expanding prevention efforts. ● Increasing education regarding risks, prevention, and transmission. ● Implementing systems to connect people with care providers immediately following diagnosis. ● Supporting comprehensive coordinated patient-centered care for people living with HIV. ● Reducing HIV-Related disparities and health inequities. Protecting yourself in the workplace: HIV and salons Salons have come under intense scrutiny in the past decade because of various outbreaks of infectious diseases that were traced to improperly cleaned equipment. State licensing boards have set strict rules for salon procedures and the exact steps for proper sanitation and sterilization of equipment to make sure disease transmission can’t happen in salons. It is important that all licensed cosmetologists are familiar with and consistently practice these safety rules and guidelines. Among the most important is the simplest: workers must wash their hands frequently, between clients and sometimes more often, when there is a chance of any kind of disease transmission. Not only will this (and other mandated safety precautions) significantly reduce the likelihood of transmitting HIV/AIDS, it will also provide protection against the transmission of staph infection and other harmful bacteria and germs that are statistically much more likely to be transmitted within the salon setting.
● From 2010 - 2016, HIV diagnoses increased 6% among Hispanics/Latinos overall in 50 states and the District of Columbia. ● In 2017, adult and adolescent Hispanics/Latinos made up 26% of the new HIV diagnosis in the US and dependent areas. Other HIV risk demographics Gender ● At the end of 2016, 882,300 men had HIV. ● Of the 38,739 new HIV diagnoses in the US and dependent areas in 2017, 81% were men. Most (86%) new diagnoses among men were among gay and bisexual men. Sexual preference ● Certain members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) community are at the highest risk for contracting the HIV virus. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men of all races and ethnicities remain the population most affected by HIV, accounting for 57% of all persons living with HIV . Injection drug users ● Of the 38,739 HIV diagnoses in the US and dependent areas in 2017, 1 in 10 were among people who inject drugs. The new HIV diagnoses among people who inject drugs consisted of 72% men and 28% women. Despite the level of risk based on ethnicity, gender, and lifestyle, everyone can take precautions to help reduce their risk and maintain a HIV negative status. By learning about the prevention strategies and standard precautions, we can reduce the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and lessen the devastation resulting from the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
PREVENTION AND PRECAUTIONS
● Reducing stigma and eliminating discrimination associated with HIV status. ● Achieving a more coordinated national response to the HIV epidemic. The strategy acknowledges that HIV is still an epidemic and major health issue in the US, despite the fact that most people can live long and healthy lives once diagnosed and treated. It recognizes that everyone across the nation deserves access to prevention tools and education and immediate access to treatment and care. It will require a collaborative national response to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic and achieve the strategic goals provided. This includes all health and human service providers, including cosmetology professionals. Fulfilling this national strategy starts with each individual, and should begin with you and your salon. Only 58 cases of confirmed occupational transmission of HIV to health care workers have been documented in the Unites States (while extremely rare, in a very few cases, HIV transmission has occurred in a household setting due to unprotected contact between infected blood and broken skin or mucous membranes). To date, there are no documented cases of HIV transmission through blood contact that have occurred in a salon setting . Therefore, while transmission of HIV in the salon is highly unlikely (and likely a direct result of the strict regulations in sanitization and operations), it is still essential that salon professionals stay up-to-date on HIV/AIDS specific prevention techniques and protocols to stop transmission.
Book Code: NTFL1024
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