This document analyzes how historical medical conspiracies and abuse have led to increased HIV/AIDS rates in African American women using birth control. It discusses how medical experiments without consent on slaves and efforts to curb the black population through birth control promoted distrust in healthcare. Certain birth controls can increase HIV risk through side effects like bleeding and immune suppression. Lack of education on risks and follow-up care when side effects occur further endangers women. Addressing medical racism and improving access to community-based care and education are needed.

1. A HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF PAST MEDICAL CONSPIRACIES THAT HINDER HIV/AIDS PREVENTION AND EFFECTIVE EDUCATION ON BIRTH CONTROL q1OP[]’ WHY ARE THERE INCREASED RATES OF HIV/AIDS IN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN WHO USE BIRTH CONTROL? Arnice Jackson Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program Faculty Mentor, Leo Wilton, Ph.D. State University of New York at Binghamton

3. Number of women 15–44 years of age, percent currently using contraception, and percent who used each of the specified contraceptive methods in the month of interview: United States, 2002 Based on this information, we can see that African American women are among the highest users of the Pill, Norplant, and Depo-Provera 4 Contraceptive Status and Method All Women Hispanic or Latina White, Single Race Black or African American, single race All Women 61, 561 9,107 39,498 8,250 Currently Using Contraception 61.9% 59% 64.6% 57.6% Female Sterilization 16.7% 19.9% 15.4% 22.6% Pill 19.2% 13.0% 22.5% 13.3% Implant (Norplant), Lunelle, or Patch 0.8% 1.8% 0.5% 0.6% 3-month injectable (Depo-Provera) 3.3% 4.3% 2.7% 5.4% IUD 1.3% 3.2% 1.1% 0.8% Condom 14.7% 14.2% 14.0% 17.0% Diaphragm 0.4% - 0.6% 0.1%

8. Planned Parenthood in 2008 12

9. Donor: Hello Autumn. I am interested in making a donation today. Planned Parenthood Employee: Fantastic! Donor: I want to specify that abortion donation be used to help a minority group, would that be possible? Planned Parenthood Employee: Absolutely. Donor: Like the black community for example? Planned Parenthood Employee: Certainly. Donor: Ok, so the abortion… I can give money specifically for a black baby…that would be the purpose Planned Parenthood Employee: Absolutely. Donor: And we don’t, you know we just think, you know, the less black kids out there the better Planned Parenthood Employee: Haha, understandable, understandable. CALL TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD- APRIL 25, 2008

11. Ineffective Planning and Prevention Programs Percent of Women, aged 15-44, who received birth control planning services, 2002 African American women receive more birth control counseling than their white counterparts, but less of a follow-up after being prescribed it. 14

14. References Chart from Center for Disease Control website - http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/factsheets/MMWR-incidence.htm 1 3, 4 2 6 5 8 7 9 10 11 13 12 14 Center for Disease Control- http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/UnintendedPregnancy/Contraception.htm Use of Contraception and Use of Family Planning Services in the United States: 1982-2002 (data for year 2002), Table 11 , http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ad/ad350.pdf , pg. 23 http://www.epigee.org/hiv_birth_control.html Washington, H.A., Medical Apartheid , pg. 64 In Her Own Words, Diary of Margaret Sanger, http://www.dianedew.com/sanger.htm Washington, H.A., Medical Apartheid , pg. 195 Bird, S., “Conspiracy Beliefs about HIV/AIDS and Birth Control Among African Americans, pg. 111-117 Washington, H.A., Medical Apartheid , pg. 206 Washington, H.A., Medical Apartheid , pg. 205 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZ0bJxP2jdI&feature=player_embedded Smith, A., “Better Dead Than Pregnant”, pg. 136 Use of Contraception and Use of Family Planning Services in the United States: 1982-2002 (data for year 2002), Table 11 , http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ad/ad350.pdf , pg. 26