The number of Korean-Americans infected with HIV or suffering from AIDS is on the rise. According to government sources, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Philippino, and Vietnamese AIDS patients in North America have steadily been on the rise, comprising only 1.2 percent of all AIDS patients in 1993, but increasing to 3.1 percent in 2000 and 3.8 percent in 2001.

According to the Asian &Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS (APICHA), a non-profit organization providing HIV/AIDS related services, education, and research to Asian and Pacific Islander communities in New York City, Asians utilizing their services have increased greatly every year and last year approximately ten percent of these people were Korean-Americans.

“Among the Asian nationalities, Koreans are particularly fearful of their identities being exposed and as a result reluctant to receive consultations. Taking this into account, we expect that there are a higher percentage of Korean-American patients,” a staff member said.

The New York State Department of Health’s 2001-2002 studies also show an increase in Asian AIDS patients and Korean-American patients account for approximately 11 to 13 percent, an increase of 2 percent in the past year.

The vast majority of Korean-American patients are in their 20s and 30s.