Prevention and treatment of HIV infections in minorities in the U.S. military: A review of military research

The prevalence and incidence of HIV-1 infection in the U.S. military has been higher in minorities than in whites. In order to understand the reason for this disproportionate impact of the epidemic, military HIV research efforts were reviewed for race/ethnic-specific differences in a conference held in July 1993. Studies presented were from the areas of epidemiology, natural history, treatment, and prevention. This report summarizes the presentations made at that conference. Few race/ethnic-related differences were identified in this setting of early diagnosis of HIV-1 infection and equal access to a quality health care system. More information of this type will be needed to allow the targeting of interventions for maximal effect in decreasing the risk of HIV infection.