Gender, Race, Poverty and HIV

1. Gender, Race, Poverty and HIV Liza Conyers, Ph. D Penn State University lmc11@psu.edu (814) 863-6115

2. National Working Positive Coalition (NWPC) • Who we are: • Persons living with HIV/AIDS, service providers, educators and researchers in HIV and employment • Mission • Promote research, development and implementation of effective practices in employment services • Coordinate sharing and dissemination of this information • Advocate for work options and opportunities for people living with HIV/AIDS

3. Overview • Provide snapshot of initial findings of national employment needs survey • Compare outcomes by Gender (male and female) • Context for women respondents • Results of working women by race • Perceptions of ability to work • Discussion

4. Survey Research • 12 page survey • Paper and Internet formats (English & Spanish) • Collaborated with ASO, PWN & AIDS Alliance • Major Sections of survey • Demographic information • Knowledge, use and satisfaction with VR services • Workplace issues (employed respondents) • Considering work issues (unemployed respondents) • Health status • Funded by NIDRR & NYS AIDS Institute

5. Demographics Differ By Gender Men Women • 2,465 respondents 66%34% • Mean Age: 4646 • Race: • Black 30%54% • White 43% 24% • Latino 19%17% • Other 9% 5% • Sexual Orientation: • Heterosexual 28% 88% • Gay 65% 4% • Bisexual 7% 8%

6. Women Face More Challenges Men Women • Women Higher rates poverty lower education • Earn $15,000 per year or less49%60% • High school/GED or less 32% 48% • Employment Status: • Employed 33%30% • Not working 67%70%

7. Women Less Informed About Employment Laws Men Women • Americans with Disabilities Act* 47%35% • Reasonable Accommodations* 21% 13% • Family and Medical Leave Act* 31% 26% • Workforce Investment Act 8% 9%

8. Women Less Informed About Services & IncentivesMen Women • Services • State Vocational Rehabilitation 31% 27% • One Stop Career Centers 16% 17% • Work Incentives • Ticket to Work 23% 22% • Trial Work Period* 23% 13% • Extended Medicare* 11% 8% • No knowledge of laws, services or incentives*27%31%

9. More Women Work in HIV Field Men Women • Work related to HIV/AIDS 34% 57% • Need to include professional development training so these women can advance, if they want further development..

10. Context: Women’s Risk Factors WOC White • Homeless 60% 52% • *Problems with Mental Health 49% 70% • Incarceration 36% 30% • Substance Abuse 53% 50% • Domestic Violence 48% 56% • Sexual Abuse 36% 44%

11. Economic Indicators by WOC vs. White POC White • WOC lower rates of employment • Employed* 26% 41% • WOC higher rates poverty lower education • Earn $15,000 per year or less* 66% 43% • High school/GED or less* 30% 52%

12. Employed Women Still Have $$ Challenges WOC White • High school/GED or less* 30% 8% • Earn $15,000 per year or less* 28% 14% • Private Insurance* 36% 67% • ADAP 23% 22% • Some Problem Paying Bills 66% 57%

13. Limited Knowledge Among Working Women WOC White • *ADA 46% 70% • *Reasonable Accommodation 20%39% • *Family Medical Leave Act 36% 58% • Workforce Investment Act 10%4% • Vocational Rehabilitation 25%34% • One Stop Career Centers 21%20% • Ticket to Work 27%28% • Trial Work Period 20%29% • Don’t know any services 19%9%

14. Working Women’s Concerns WOC White • *Long Hours 50%68% • *Balance Roles 61%75% • Limited Sick Leave 63%58% • Health Risk 61%55% • Keep Medical Appt 56%48% • Physical Work 50%49% • Employment Probation 35%30% • Limited Breaks 31%40% • Work with people 28%18% • Child Care 25%16%

15. Health by WOC vs. White WOC White • *Over 95 Adherence 62% 80% • *Employed at Diagnosis-Yes 52%84% • *Pain Interference 27%38% • *Energy Enough 62%46% • *Expect Health Stable 75%58% • Visible HIV 7%6% • Past Health Stable 56%56%

16. Potential Health & Prevention BenefitsSince my current job, my….…(if not working prior) WOC White • Self-care increased 58% 63% • CD-4 count increased 44% 54% • Med Adherence increased 35% 25% • Alcohol use decreased* 49% 21% • Drug use decreased 43% 21% • Unprotected sex decreased 37% 33% • # of sex partners decreased 24% 23%

17. Unemployed Women WOC White • Able to work 41% 25% • Not sure if could work 33% 36% • Not able to work 26% 40%

18. Summary • Employment is related to positive health and prevention outcomes for many women • Need to attend to those where outcomes are not positive • Women respondents reported lower incomes and lower educational levels than men • Respondents had very limited knowledge of vocational services, organizations or other related resources. • Need for vocational information and services to help improve outcomes for women with HIV/AIDS • Need to address structural barriers & health outcomes

19. Limitations and Future Research • Initial descriptive findings • Need more sophisticated analysis to account for missing data and confounding influences • Volunteer sample • May not represent all of those with HIV/AIDS in New York State • More in-depth analysis will help to better understand factors that lead to different outcomes

20. Acknowledgements • Positive Women’s Network • National Association of People with AIDS • AIDS Institute of New York State • National Institute of Disability & Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) • Maricela Carrera • Paul Datti & PSU Research Team • Eda Valero-Figueira • Brendan Galivan • Heather Homan, Heather Atkinson, Jonathan McClain • Mark Misrok, President NWPC