A philosophy of public health, intended to be a progressive alternative to the prohibition of certain lifestyle choices. The central idea of harm reduction is the recognition that some people always have and always will engage in behaviors which carry risks, such as casual sex, prostitution, and drug use.

The Institute at the Harm Reduction Coalition is a national training and capacity-building initiative that promotes the health and dignity of individuals and communities impacted by drug use by providing skills-building activities to service providers and other community stakeholders. The Institute accomplishes this by offering technical assistance, trainings, informational workshops, social marketing, and mentoring on topics related to harm reduction; including substance use, opiate overdose, HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitis C.

Injection Drug Use:

Injection drug use is the second leading cause of HIV infection both for black men and women. In addition to being at risk from sharing needles, casual and chronic substance users are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors, such as unprotected sex, when they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Drug use can also affect treatment success. A recent study of HIV-infected women found that women who used drugs, compared with women who did not, were less likely to take their antiretroviral medicines exactly as prescribed.

Revised August 2008

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Key Snapshot of the U.S. Epidemic Today

History of World AIDS

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HIV/AIDS

• Although Black Americans represent only 12% of the U.S. population, they account for half of AIDS cases diagnosed in 2006. Blacks also account for 45% of new HIV infections (24,900 of 56,300 total new infections) and 46% of people living with HIV disease in 2006.
• Black women account for the largest share of new HIV infections among women (61% in 2006) and the incidence rate among Black women is nearly 15 times the rate among white women.
• Although Black teens (aged 13–19) represent only 16% of U.S. teenagers, they account for 69% of new AIDS cases reported among teens in 2006. A similar impact can be seen among Black children

• Although Latinos represent approximately 15% of the U.S. population,10 they account for 19% of the AIDS cases diagnosed in 2006. Latinos also account for 17% of new HIV infections (9,700 of 56,300 total new infections) and nearly 18% of people living with HIV disease in 2006.
• Among women, Latinas account for 16% of new HIV infections and their HIV incidence rate is nearly 4 times the rate for white women, but about a quarter of the rate for Black women.
• Latino teens, aged 13–19, account for 19% of AIDS cases among teens, slightly greater than their share of the U.S. teen population in 2006 (17%). Latinos aged 20–24 account for 23% of new AIDS cases reported among young adults, but represent 18% of U.S. young adults, in 2006
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