HIV is a public health problem in the United States which disproportionately impacts racial minorities. Current studies highlight the social determinants of health (SES, media, social stigma, etc.) on the spread of HIV. This study investigated media, HIV-related stigma, and perceived risk of HIV contraction as social determinants of health. African American (N=162) college students from two Historically Black Colleges were asked to complete an online assessment on sexual media exposure, stigma, and perceived risk. It was hypothesized that African American college students with high-personalized stigma and high disclosure-concern stigma regarding HIV would have a low perceived risk of HIV contraction. Data has been collected and analysis is in process. This research will inform future interventions geared towards reducing the incidence of HIV among African American college students.
