Conspiracy Theories May Hinder Prevention
Ever thought that AIDS might be part of a conspiracy designed to destroy the Black community? If so, you’re not alone. A new study from the Rand Corp. and Oregon State University found that about half of the 500 African Americans interviewed for the study believe that HIV is a man-made virus, and 15 percent said they believe AIDS is a form of Black genocide.
African Americans account for 50 percent of the HIV infections in the United States but comprise only 13 percent of the population.Twelve percent supported the idea that HIV was created and spread by the CIA, and slightly more than half of the respondents believe there is a cure for the disease that the government is not distributing to the poor.
“This is not a bunch of crazy people running around saying they’re out to get us,” Florida State University psychologist Na’im Akbar told The Washington Post. It “comes from the reality of 300 years of slavery and 100 years of post-slavery exploitation.”There is also a precedent.
For decades, beginning in the 1930s, the federal government conducted experiments on African Americans to study the effects of syphilis. The Black men with the disease believed they were being treated, but scientists were withholding treatment to observe the course of the disease.Ironically, the study also found that 75 percent of those interviewed believe the medical community is trying to stop the spread of the disease among Blacks.
Some researchers said that those who entertain such conspiracy theories are doing themselves a disservice. “It’s a huge barrier to HIV prevention in Black communities,” said Phill Wilson, of the Black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles. “The whole notion of conspiracy theories and misinformation removes personal responsibility,” he told the Post.
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What do you think? Is the AIDS epidemic part of a conspiracy to wipe out Blacks or are Blacks using that as an excuse to avoid personal responsibility?
African Americans account for 50 percent of the HIV infections in the United States but comprise only 13 percent of the population.Twelve percent supported the idea that HIV was created and spread by the CIA, and slightly more than half of the respondents believe there is a cure for the disease that the government is not distributing to the poor.
“This is not a bunch of crazy people running around saying they’re out to get us,” Florida State University psychologist Na’im Akbar told The Washington Post. It “comes from the reality of 300 years of slavery and 100 years of post-slavery exploitation.”There is also a precedent.
For decades, beginning in the 1930s, the federal government conducted experiments on African Americans to study the effects of syphilis. The Black men with the disease believed they were being treated, but scientists were withholding treatment to observe the course of the disease.Ironically, the study also found that 75 percent of those interviewed believe the medical community is trying to stop the spread of the disease among Blacks.
Some researchers said that those who entertain such conspiracy theories are doing themselves a disservice. “It’s a huge barrier to HIV prevention in Black communities,” said Phill Wilson, of the Black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles. “The whole notion of conspiracy theories and misinformation removes personal responsibility,” he told the Post.
____________________________________________
What do you think? Is the AIDS epidemic part of a conspiracy to wipe out Blacks or are Blacks using that as an excuse to avoid personal responsibility?
posted by blackconsciousmen at 8:11 PM
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