New Online Map Shows HIV-AIDS Infection Rates Higher in the South

HIV infection rates are generally higher in the South than in the rest of the country, according to a new internet data map of HIV cases in the U.S.

The map, the HIV/Aids Atlas, was created by the National Minority Quality Forum, a nonprofit research group that has created other disease maps in the past.

The HIV/AIDS Atlas shows the infection is concentrated in about 20 percent of counties.

More than half the 48 counties with the highest rates of HIV are in Georgia. Chatham County ranks among the top counties in the nation for the highest rates of the virus and reported cases of the AIDS disease.

The map data is based on reported numbers of people living with HIV and AIDS in 2006.

“In our community here we continue to see a higher prevalence of HIV-AIDS cases, particularly hitting minorities… This validates the need for more prevention, more education and awareness activities in our community, to let the local officials and the entire community know that this disease is far from being over, that we remain in a crisis,“ said Mark Douglas, executive director of My Brothaz H.O.M.E., which provides HIV-AIDS prevention and support services.

Douglas says the area’s population growth makes more funding for awareness and education even more vital.

“People are moving in from all across the country, therefore we’re seeing an influx in reported new cases, and that’s what’s reported. We estimate there’s about three to five thousand people in our community who are HIV positive and are unaware that they’re HIV positive,“ said Douglas.

That’s why Douglas urges everyone who might be at risk to get tested.  He says there’s no excuse, because it could save your life.

“If you come into our office you’re usually out within 20-25 minutes. All of our services are free. It’s a swab of the mouth so there’s no blood, no needles, and all of our services are confidential,“ he said.

My Brothaz H.O.M.E. and Kaiser Permanente’s Educational Theatre Program are putting on an HIV/AIDS educational program called “Secrets” on Wednesday at 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. at Johnson High School, 3012 Sunset Boulevard.  The show is free.

National HIV Testing Day is this weekend. On Friday, the Chatham County Health Department is having free HIV testing from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at their office at 1395 Eisenhower Drive.

My Brothaz H.O.M.E. is also offering free testing on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 2111 Price Street.  If you can’t make it out for testing this weekend, My Brothaz H.O.M.E. offers free HIV testing and counseling services Monday through Thursday.