When we think of which parts of the world are hardest hit by HIV and AIDS, we automatically think about places like Africa and India. When in fact the United States has its own HIV epidemic; right in our capital; Washington DC. Health officials have announced that 3 percent of Washington DC citizens are HIV infected; triple what experts classify as an epidemic; 1 percent. In fact, DC's HIV rates are higher than those of West Africa, one of the hardest hit areas in the world. DC health experts say that all routes of transmission are on the rise. One figure places condom use among DC citizens at only 3 in 10 people. DC has seen a 22 percent rise in infection rates since 2006. The 3 percent infection rate is the highest since San Francisco placed their infection rate at 4 percent early in the HIV epidemic some twenty-five years ago. African American men make up the largest share of infections; 7 percent of all black men in DC are HIV infected. Obviously the number of infected is a concern for DC officials not only because of the toll in human lives it can cause but also because of the strain these large numbers will place on DC's health care system.Related Information
- On the Down-Low...What Does it Mean?
- HIV Stats - HIV Among African American Males
- Is the Down-Low Theory Racist?
What do you think?
Such sobering news out of our nation's capital. What do you think are some of the causes? Leave your comments...Comments
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