Carleen H. Stoskopf, ScD, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Department of Health Services Policy & Management, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, 803-777-4781, cstoskopf@sc.edu and William Pearson, Department of Health Services Policy and Management, University of South Carolina, 800 Sumter Street, Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC 29229.

Background: New cases of HIV are occurring at a higher rate in minorities. It is believed the disparity in the incidence rate is accompanied by disparity in access, utilization, and treatment of HIV as well. This study examines the level of drug treatment for HIV and accompanying medical conditions. Methods: This study is based on the Cost and Services Utilization Study (HCSUS). It is a nationally representative survey of people in care for HIV. A multi-stage probability design with population to proportion size sampling was used. SUDDAN was used to develop population estimates. Results: It is found that after controlling for major demographic and social economic status variables, African Americans have a significant risk of not taking antiretroviral drugs, anti-CMV (Cytomegalovirus) drugs, drugs for treatment of pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and/r protozoal diseases, drugs for fungal infections, drugs for treating Mycobacterium aviulm complex (TB/MAC) disease, and anti-herpes drugs as compared to Whites. Hispanics are significantly less likely to receive drugs for CMV and TB/MAC than Whites. Conclusions: African Americans are less likely to receive drug therapies for HIV/AIDS or related illnesses than Whites after controlling for major demographic and social economic status variables such as age, gender, education, employment, income, and insurance status. Other minorities fair better, although Hispanics are less likely to be treated for TB/MAC.

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