Skip to main content

HIV/AIDS in Asian and Pacific Islanders in the United States

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Asian American Health

Abstract

Although research consistently documents high levels of HIV risk behavior among Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) in the United States, there has been minimal prioritization of public health resources and funding for this population. In this chapter we review the state of HIV/AIDS epidemiology and prevention science for APIs as an emerging risk group. The chapter is organized into four sections: (i) epidemiological trends in HIV/AIDS among APIs, (ii) social factors associated with HIV risk among APIs, (iii) HIV prevention interventions for APIs, and (iv) the role of community based organizations and social movements in responding to HIV/AIDS in APIs. We consider and critique how APIs have been overlooked and excluded in research and prevention, and offer suggestions for future research, intervention, and community mobilization strategies to respond to the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic among APIs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adih, W. K., Campsmith, M., Williams, C. L., Hardnett, F. P., & Hughes, D. (2011). Epidemiology of HIV among Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States, 2001–2008. Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care Apr 20 [Epub ahead of print].

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, R. A., Lee, S.-J., Newman, P. A., & Leibowitz, A. A. (2008). Sexual risk behavior has decreased among men who have sex with men in Los Angeles but remains greater than that among heterosexual men and women. AIDS Education and Prevention, 20(4), 312–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2002). HIV testing survey, 2002. Atlanta, GA: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009a). HIV-associated behaviors among injection-drug users – 23 cities, United States, May 2005–February 2006. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 58 (13), 329–332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009b). HIV Testing among high school students – United States, 2007. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 58(24), 665–668.

    Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010). Prevalence and awareness of HIV infection among men who have sex with men – 21 Cities, United States, 2008. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 59(37), 1201–1207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Epidemiology of HIV infection through 2009. Atlanta, GA: Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention/National Center for HIV/AIDS/Viral Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chae, D. H., & Yoshikawa, H. (2008). Perceived group devaluation, depression, and HIV-risk behavior among Asian gay men. Health Psychology, 27(2), 140–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chin, D. (1999). HIV-related sexual risk assessment among Asian/Pacific Islander American women: An inductive model. Social Science & Medicine, 49(2), 241–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chin, J. J., Kang, E., Kim, J. J., Martinez, J., & Eckholdt, H. (2006). Serving Asians and Pacific Islanders with HIV/AIDS: Challenges and lessons learned. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 17 (4), 910–927.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chin, J. J., Leung, M., Sheth, L., & Rodriguez, T. R. (2007). Let’s not ignore a growing HIV problem for Asian and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. Journal of Urban Health, 84(5), 642–647.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chin, J. J., Neilands, T. B., Weiss, L., & Mantell, J. E. (2008). Paradigm shifters, professionals and community sentinels: Immigrant community institutions’ roles in shaping places and implications for stigmatized public health initiatives. Health & Place, 14(4), 866–882.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choi, K.-H., Han, C.-S., Hudes, E. S., & Kegeles, S. (2002). Unprotected sex and associated risk factors among young Asian and Pacific Islander men who have sex with men. AIDS Education and Prevention, 14(6), 472–481.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choi, K.-H., Lew, S., Vittinghoff, E., Catania, J. A., Barrett, D. C., & Coates, T. J. (1996). The efficacy of brief group counseling in HIV risk reduction among homosexual Asian and Pacific Islander men. AIDS, 10(1), 81–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Choi, K.-H., Operario, D., Gregorich, S. E., McFarland, W., MacKellar, D., & Valleroy, L. (2005). Substance use, substance choice, and unprotected anal intercourse among young Asian American and Pacific Islander men who have sex with men. AIDS Education and Prevention, 17(5), 418–429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chung, P. J., Travis, R., Kilpatrick, S. D., Elliot, M. N., Lui, C., Khandwala, S. B., et al. (2007). Acculturation and parent-adolescent communication about sex in Filipino-American families: A community-based participatory research study. Journal of Adolescent Health, 40(6), 543–550.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Do, T. D., Chen, S., McFarland, W., Secura, G. M., Behel, S. K., MacKellar, D. A., et al. (2005). HIV testing patterns and unrecognized HIV infection among young Asian and Pacific Islander men who have sex with men in San Francisco. AIDS Education and Prevention, 17 (6), 540–554.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hahm, H. C., Lee, J., Ozonoff, A., & Amodeo, M. (2007). Predictors of STDs among Asian and Pacific Islander young adults. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 39(4), 231–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hahm, H. C., Lee, J., Rough, K., & Strathdee, S. A. (2011). Gender power control, sexual experiences, safer sex practices, and potential HIV risk behaviors among young Asian-American women. AIDS and Behavior Jan 23 [Epub ahead of print].

    Google Scholar 

  • Hahm, H. C., Song, I. H., Ozonoff, A., & Sassani, J. (2009). HIV testing among sexually experienced Asian and Pacific Islander young women: Association with routine gynecologic care. Women’s Health Issues, 19(5), 279–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, H. I., Song, R., Rhodes, P., Prejean, J., An, Q., Lee, L. M., et al. (2008). Estimation of HIV incidence in the United States. Journal of the American Medical Association, 300(5), 520–529.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han, C.-S. (2008). A qualitative exploration of the relationship between racism and unsafe sex among Asian Pacific Islander gay men. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 37 (5), 827–837.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han, C.-S. (2009). Chopsticks don’t make it culturally competent: Addressing larger issues for HIV prevention among gay, bisexual, and queer Asian Pacific Islander men. Health and Social Work, 34(4), 273–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kahle, E. M., Freedman, M. S., & Buskin, S. E. (2009). HIV risks and testing behavior among Asians and Pacific Islanders: Results of the HIV testing survey, 2002–2003.Journal of the National Medical Association, 97 (Suppl. 7), 13S–18S.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J. L., & Ward, L. M. (2007). Silence speaks volumes: Parental sexual communication among Asian American emerging adults. Journal of Adolescent Research, 22(1), 3–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, S.-J., & Rotheram-Borus, M. J. (2009). Beyond the “model minority” stereotype: Trends in health risk behaviors among Asian/Pacific Islander high school students. Journal of School Health, 79 (8), 347–354.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loue, S., Lloyd, L. S., & Phoombour, E. (1996). Organizing Asian Pacific Islanders in an urban community to reduce HIV Risk: A case study. AIDS Education and Prevention, 8(5), 381–393.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowry, R., Eaton, D., Brener, N. D., & Kann, L. (2011). Prevalence of health-risk behaviors among Asian American and Pacific Islander high school students in the US, 2001–2007. Public Health Reports, 126(1), 39–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • McFarland, W., Chen, S., Weide, D., Kohn, R., & Klausner, J. (2004). Gay Asian men in San Francisco follow the international trend: Increases in rates of unprotected anal intercourse and sexually transmitted diseases, 1999–2002. AIDS Education and Prevention, 16(1), 13–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nemoto, T., Iwamoto, M., Kamitani, E., Morris, A., & Sakata, M. (2011). Targeted expansion project for outreach and treatment for substance abuse and HIV risk behaviors in Asian and Pacific Islander communities. AIDS Education and Prevention, 23(2), 175–191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nemoto, T., Iwamoto, M., Oh, H. J., Wong, S., & Nguyen, H. (2005). Risk behaviors among Asian women who work at massage parlors in San Francisco: Perspectives from masseuses and owners/managers. AIDS Education and Prevention, 17(5), 444–456.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nemoto, T., Iwamoto, M., Wong, S., Le, M. N., & Operario, D. (2004). Social factors related to risk for violence and sexually transmitted infections/HIV among Asian massage parlor workers in San Francisco. AIDS and Behavior, 8(4), 475–483.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nemoto, T., Operario, D., Soma, T., Bao, D., Vajrabukka, A., & Crisostomo, V. (2003). HIV risk and prevention among Asian/Pacific Islander men who have sex with men: Listen to our stories. AIDS Education and Prevention, 15(1), 7–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nemoto, T., Operario, D., Takenaka, M., Iwamoto, M., & Le, M. N. (2003). HIV risk among Asian women working at massage parlors in San Francisco. AIDS Education and Prevention, 15 (3), 245–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Operario, D., Choi, K.-H., Chu, P. L., McFarland, W., Secura, G., Behel, S., et al. (2006). Prevalence and correlates of substance use among young Asian Pacific Islander men who have sex with men. Prevention Science, 7 (1), 19–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Operario, D., Han, C.-S., & Choi, K.-H. (2008). Dual identity among gay Asian Pacific Islander men. Culture, Health and Sexuality, 10(5), 447–461.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Operario, D., & Nemoto, T. (2005). Sexual risk behavior and substance use among a sample of Asian Pacific Islander transgender women.AIDS Education and Prevention, 17, 430–443.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Operario, D., Nemoto, T., Ng, T., Syed, J., & Mazarei, M. (2005). Conducting HIV interventions for Asian Pacific Islander men who have sex with men: Challenges and compromises in community collaborative research. AIDS Education and Prevention, 17(5), 334–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, J. L., Bakeman, R., & Stokes, J. (2001). Racial/ethnic patterns of HIV sexual risk behaviors among young men who have sex with men. Journal of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, 5 (4), 155–162.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raymond, H. F., Chen, S., Truong, H.-H. M., Knapper, K. B., Klausner, J. D., Choi, K.-H., et al. (2006). Trends in sexually transmitted diseases, sexual risk behavior, and HIV infection among Asian/Pacific Islander men who have sex with men, San Francisco, 1999–2005. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 33(10), 262–264.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reyes, E. E. (2000). Profiles of API HIV/AIDS community-based organizations. Journal of Asian American Studies, 3 (2), 241–250.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosser, B. R. S., Oakes, J. M., Horvath, K. J., Konstan, J. A., Danilenko, G. P., & Peterson, J. L. (2009). HIV sexual risk behavior by men who use the internet to seek sex with men: Results of the Men’s INTernet Sex Study-II (MINTS-II). AIDS and Behavior, 13(3), 488–498.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheth, L., Operario, D., Latham, N., & Sheoran, B. (2007). National-level capacity-building assistance model to enhance HIV prevention for Asian & Pacific Islander communities. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 13, S40–S48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, D., DiClemente, R., Durbin, M., & Krasnovsky, F. (1995). Change in junior high school students’ AIDS-related knowledge, misconceptions, attitudes, and HIV-preventive behaviors: Effects of a school-based intervention. AIDS Education and Prevention, 7 (6), 534–543.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi, L. M., Candelario, J., Young, T., & Mediano, E. (2007). Building capacity for HIV/AIDS prevention among Asian Pacific Islander organizations: The experience of a culturally appropriate capacity-building program in Southern California. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 13, S55–S63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi, L. M., Magalong, M. G., Debell, P., & Fasudhani, A. (2006). HIV and AIDS in suburban Asian and Pacific Islander communities: Factors influencing self-efficacy in HIV risk reduction. AIDS Education and Prevention, 18 (6), 529–545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wei, C., Raymond, H. F., Wong, F. Y., Silvestre, A. J., Friedman, M. S., Documet, P., et al. (2011). Lower HIV prevalence among Asian/Pacific Islander men who have sex with men: A critical review for possible reasons. AIDS and Behavior, 15(3), 535–549.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, F. Y., Crisostomo, V. A., Bao, D., Smith, B. D., Young, D., Huang, J., et al. (2011). Development and implementation of a collaborative, multistakeholder research and practice model on HIV prevention targeting Asian/Pacific Islander men in the United States who have sex with men. American Journal of Public Health, 101(4), 623–631.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xia, Q., Osmond, D. H., Tholandi, M., Pollack, L. M., Zhou, W., Ruiz, J. D., et al. (2006). HIV prevalence and sexual risk behaviors among men who have sex with men: Results from a statewide population-based survey in California. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 41(2), 238–245.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yanagihara, R., Chang, L., & Ernst, T. (2009). Building infrastructure for HIV/AIDS and mental health research at institutions serving minorities. American Journal of Public Health, 99, S82–S86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoshikawa, H., Wilson, P. A., Hsueh, J., Rosman, E. A., Chin, J., & Kim, J. H. (2003). What front-line CBO staff can tell us about culturally anchored theories of behavior change in HIV prevention for Asian/Pacific Islanders. American Journal of Community Psychology, 32(1/2), 143–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zaidi, I. F., Crepaz, N., Song, R., Wan, C. K., Lin, L. S., Hu, D. J., et al. (2005). Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS among Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. AIDS Education and Prevention, 17(5), 405–417.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgement

Preparation of this chapter was supported by a National Institute of Mental Health traineeship (T32-MH074387) and a National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Award to Judy Tan, and by a National Institute of Mental Health training grant (T32-MH078788) to Caroline Kuo.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Don Operario .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Operario, D., Tan, J., Kuo, C. (2013). HIV/AIDS in Asian and Pacific Islanders in the United States. In: Yoo, G., Le, MN., Oda, A. (eds) Handbook of Asian American Health. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-2227-3_28

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics