Unseen and Unspoken: A Content Analysis of Public Health Messaging on HIV and Black Women in the American South
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Abstract
The ongoing HIV epidemic is not only a public health crisis but also a profound story of social justice, particularly for communities of color. Despite advancements in treatment and prevention, Black and Brown communities, especially in the Southern United States, continue to bear a disproportionate burden of HIV. Mississippi, along with eight other Southern states, has reached epidemic status, with rising case rates particularly among individuals aged 13–24. Yet media coverage remains sparse. This literature review presents a content analysis of HIV-related public health messaging from federal, state, and nonprofit sources between 2020 and 2024. It examines representation, framing, cultural competence, and calls to action across six Southern states. The study finds that Black women remain underrepresented in both messaging and media coverage, and that structural determinants of HIV risk are often overlooked in favor of individual behavior narratives. Findings underscore the need for journalism and public health communication to adopt culturally competent, community-informed strategies that give voice to those most affected.
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