Latest data shows mixed results in DC’s efforts to fight HIV/AIDS
According to health experts gathered on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day to release the latest data, DC has dropped from high to moderate among jurisdictions focused on HIV.
According to health experts gathered on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day to release the latest data, DC has dropped from high to moderate among jurisdictions focused on HIV.
Clover Barnes, senior associate director of the HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD and TB Administration, the office that publishes data on HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases in DC, spoke about the findings in HAHSTA’s latest report.
“There are 11,904 people living with HIV in the district. Of those, 71% are black,” Barnes said.
This data shows, “We need to raise awareness of the disparities that persist in our epidemic today,” Barnes said.
The 2021 data, which is the latest available, shows there were 230 new infections, compared to 270 in 2019, Barnes said. This drop in reported cases is likely related to the fact that many people are delaying routine medical treatment, including HIV/AIDS testing, during the pandemic.
Barnes said during a news conference on Tuesday that she expects the number of new infections next year to get closer to 2019 levels “as people return to their caregiving behaviors” and more testing is done.
dr Demetre Daskalakis, who is leading the Biden administration’s response to mpox, said there is a need to see HIV/AIDS as part and not separate from other viruses and conditions that make controlling the spread of disease more difficult.
“People don’t always face just one health challenge, especially those people whose health is further compromised by prejudices such as racism, homophobia, transphobia, and many other phobias and isms that impede access and success in healthcare,” Daskalakis said.
“HIV risk and outcomes are exacerbated by unstable housing or homelessness,” Daskalakis said, adding that people who have access to stable housing can receive pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and other treatments.
Barnes said that as DC works to streamline services for people seeking testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS, “we need to connect more people to care and get them involved in the programs that we’ve proven they can.” worked.”
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