Discussion Board

HIV Rate in Black Men
Student’s Name
Institution Affiliation

HIV Rate in Black Men
Problem definitions
1) Black “gay men in Atlanta are contracting HIV in epidemic proportions.”
2) The population of black gay men dying of AIDs in Atlanta is increasing rapidly.
3) Black gay men are likely to be HIV positive than black Americans overall.
Problem definitions analysis
According to Staples (2017), I would pick the first problem definition; “Black gay men in Atlanta are contracting HIV in epidemic proportions,” as the primary definition of the policy topic. It is simply because the policy topic, HIV Rates in Black Men, is more precise and only covers the trend of HIV in black men. Therefore, when one compares the three problem definitions, my choice which is the problem definition number one talks about the trend at which the black gay men contract HIV in Atlanta. The second problem definition: The population of black gay men dying of AIDs in Atlanta is increasing rapidly, only limits the discussion to the number of black gay men that die of AIDs. The third problem definition: Black gay men are likely to be HIV positive than black Americans overall, compares the probability of black gay men being HIV positive to the overall black Americans (Staples, 2017). From the three definitions, it can be clearly seen the first problem definition tends to address the policy topic most as compared to other definitions.
There are numerous implications of choosing the first problem definition, “Black gay men in Atlanta are contracting HIV in epidemic proportions,” in terms of the definition changes the stakeholders, the politics, and most importantly how it impacts the potential set of policy solutions (Staples, 2017).

To begin with, many stakeholders are likely to come in and provide policy solutions in three stages when addressing the choice number one. This includes short-term, mid-term, and long-term solutions on the possible ways of reducing the rate of black gay men contracting HIV in Atlanta. On the other hand, choosing the third problem definition is likely to impact negatively on the policy topic. Stakeholders are expected to drop their interest in fighting against the epidemic. Similarly, the policymakers will tend to concentrate on the black gay men only at the expense of setting up relevant policies that reduce the death rates among the overall black population.
Reference
Staples, G. B. (2017). The Silent Epidemic: “Counting the cost of being ignored.” Retrieved January 27, 2018, from https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/the-silent-epidemic-counting-the-cost-being-ignored/ikyiCw4WDjESbu1HBjbGTI/