Minnesota Needs Better HIV Prevention Campaigns to Fight Rise in HIV Among White Men, African Immigrants, Editorial Says

The rise in HIV infections among white men and African-born immigrants in Minnesota is "disturbing" and should prompt new HIV prevention messages tailored to each of the two groups, a Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial states. HIV prevention messages for white men should "emphasize that they cannot afford to be complacent about HIV prevention," the editorial says. The editorial notes that for African-born immigrants, crafting effective prevention messages will be more difficult because of the cultural, linguistic and religious differences between the various immigrant groups. "A one-size-fits-all approach won't work. ... To be most effective, especially regarding sex and sexually transmitted diseases, [health workers] must get the word out without offending cultural practices or frightening clients away," the editorial states. The editorial says that health workers have learned that they must work with community-based organizations in order to communicate more effectively with minority populations. HIV prevention messages "can and must be spread to every at-risk population -- including younger white men and our newest African-born neighbors," the editorial concludes (Minneapolis Star Tribune, 4/29).