Quinn M. Gentry, PhD, MBA, ORC Macro International, Inc., 3 Corporate Square NE Suite 370, Atlanta, GA 30329, 404-321-3211, Quinn.M.Gentry@orcmacro.com

Background: On April 18, 2003, The Centers for Disease Control announced its new initiative for preventing HIV infection and has been criticized on a number of issues, including the plan’s lack of emphasis on race, class, and gender inequality. Based on historical evidence, the author argues that public health researchers have largely ignored the unique needs of non-mainstream groups in the initial design and implementation of HIV prevention initiatives. Methods: This paper applies a case study approach of HIV prevention intervention in the lives of poor African American women, which includes: (1) an examination of the social construction, (2) theoretical models, and (3) programmatic evaluations of HIV prevention for this group. Poor African American women’s experiences with HIV prevention are used to explore ways in which the CDC’s new initiative may fail those on the margins of society. Results: The social construction of HIV/AIDS occurred first among white homosexually active men in ways that may have undermined early indicators of race, class, and gender inequality as high risk factors. Once public health data confirmed poor African American women’s HIV risks, prevention interventions for this group were guided by theoretical frameworks that had been successful in lowering HIV incidence for gay white males. Conclusions: HIV prevention models continue to ignore critical social theory, including black feminist thought. HIV prevention researchers must center race, class, and gender in the design, implementation, evaluation, and publication, of HIV prevention in ways that legitimize non-traditional interventions in the field of public health.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Understand four key areas in which race, class, and gender are significant in HIV prevention interventions.
• Describe the social construction of HIV prevention using a case analysis of poor African American women.
• Explore black feminist theory as a legitimate framework for designing, implementing, and evaluating HIV prevention programs for those experiencing race, class, and gender inequality.
• Identify a strategic role for researchers in filling the race, class, and gender analytical gaps in HIV prevention research.

Keywords: African American, Women and HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.