Is There a Legacy of the U.S. Public Health Syphilis Study at Tuskegee in HIV/AIDS-Related Beliefs Among Heterosexual African Americans and Latinos?

Abstract

The Tuskegee Syphilis Study is often cited as a major reason for low research participation rates among racial/ethnic minorities. We use data from a random-digit-dial telephone survey of 510 African Americans and 253 Latinos drawn from low income Los Angeles neighborhoods to investigate associations between knowledge of the study and endorsement of HIV/AIDS conspiracy theories. Results indicate African Americans were significantly more likely than Latinos to endorse HIV/AIDS conspiracy theories and were more aware of the study. Nevertheless, few Americans and Latinos had ever heard of Syphilis Study suggesting that awareness is not a major factor in low participation rates.

Keywords:

• Tuskegee Syphilis Study
• AIDS conspiracy theories
• African Americans
• Latinos
• Health beliefs

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA15539; DA 20826) and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (MD 006923).