Ohio University's Dr. Anthony Sallar was on the scene of the International AIDS conference earlier this month to present the findings of his research project, "Are HIV/AIDS Conspiracy Beliefs Barriers to HIV Prevention Among African American Men Residing in Southern United States?"

"African Americans have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS compared to other ethnic groups," Sallar said in an OU news release. "Although African Americans constitute 12 percent of the U.S.

population, in 2004 they accounted for 50 percent of the HIV/AIDS diagnosed."

Sallar's research abstract was one selected for presentation from more than 12,000 applicants. More than 20,000 delegates attended the conference. Participants came from around the world and ranged from U.N. officials, to scientists, to people living with AIDS.

According to Sallar, "The conference is one of the most important gatherings for the release and discussion of key scientific developments in the fight against HIV/AIDS, as it brings together so many people worldwide with diverse and sometimes competing interests, to focus on such a politically charged life and death issue."

As part of his continuing interest in international health, Sallar has also been studying HIV policies in Ghana. "There is a need to know whether elected representatives recognize HIV as a major health problem," he said in the release