Americans, and 4.3% of Hispanics abused marijuana. Cocaine was also abused at different rates by different groups. Although no ethnic/racial group abused all three drugs (alcohol, marijuana, cocaine) consistently more than any other group, men abused all three of these substances more than women (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1993).Inner-city males and females are at higher risk for HIV infection than non Inner-city dwellers due to the higher prevalence of IV drug abuse and unprotected sex (Mays and Cochran, 1988). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1993), White males accounted for 54.6% of AIDS cases among men, African Americans accounted for 28.2%, Hispanics for 16.2%, Asians for .68%, and Native Americans for .21%. Among women, White women accounted for 50.8% of AIDS cases, African Americans for 31.4%, Hispanics for 16.7%, Asians for .67%, and Native Americans for .21%. Among African American men and women, most AIDS cases result from exposure to intravenous drug use. This also holds for White men and women, but among White men the majority of AIDS cases result from sexual contact with men (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1993).The factors that contribute to the high mortality and morbidity rates among minorities are complex. Socioeconomic status and cultural beliefs and practices including socialization and dietary patterns may influence the incidence and progression of disease. Research has shown that socioeconomic status (SES) is related to incidence of illness and mortality rates. Gottlieb and Green (1987) discussed the conditions related to poverty that are associated with poor health: (a) stress due to noisy and/or overcrowded conditions, (b) lack of meaningful work, (c) prejudice and discrimination, (d) absence of social support, and (e) polluted and/or unsanitary environments.Minorities are overrepresented in the lower SES group. Because people of low SES tend to be less educated ...
