HIV and AIDS cases rising among African-Americans

African-Americans make up more than half of new U.S. HIV cases each year and about two thirds of new AIDS cases among teens, even though they represent less than 15% of the U.S. population, according to a new report. Black women also accounted for 67% of U.S. women diagnosed with AIDS in 2001, according to the report. The Black AIDS Institute, a Los Angeles-based research and public policy group, released the report, titled "The Time Is Now!" to coincide with the start of Black History Month in February. The report is based on statistics culled from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Congress, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and other sources. The report urges Congress to increase funding for HIV treatment, control the cost of medicines, provide more comprehensive sex education in schools, and push more states to adopt needle-exchange programs. Its release follows that of a new Rand Corporation study indicating that a significant number of African-Americans believe HIV/AIDS was created by scientists conspiring to destroy their communities. (AP)