AIDS Walk Washington DC 2012 at Freedom Plaza. AIDS Walk Washington is an annual fundraiser to provide HIV / AIDS patients with quality health care. Source: AIDS Walk Washington (7).
Why are HIV/AIDS rates so high in DC?
Socioeconomic Inequality
- HIV/AIDS infection rates have been linked to poverty (1).
- Those from low-income communities do not have as many opportunities to learn about HIV/AIDS prevention, transmission, and treatment (2).
- Economic inequality has led to health disparity: The average household income from 2005-2009 in Ward 8 was $44,341 and in Ward 3 during the same time was $257,241 (3). Wards 7 and 8 of DC have increased rates of HIV/AIDS infection. In 2010, the prevalence of HIV/AIDS was 3.1% in Ward 8. Ward 3 had a prevalence rate of .5% (4).
Percentage of D.C. residents living with HIV or AIDS
- Many of the low-income communities are more likely to be exposed to behaviors that lead to a greater risk of HIV/AIDS infection. In particular, Washington, D.C. has a high rate of pregnancies and injecting drug users (4).
- 27.2% of AIDS cases in DC adults can be attributed to drug injection (5).
- The overall prevalence rate for Washington, D.C. adults (over 12) is approximately 2.7%, which is one of the highest rates among U.S. cities (6).
The map above shows the distribution of District residents living with HIV / AIDS. Note the disparities that exist among the various wards, particularly between Wards 3 and 8. Source: District of Columbia Epidemiology Annual Report 2008. The Washington Post (8).
Sources:
- The Washington Post (2009). "At Least 3 Percent of D.C. Residents Have HIV or AIDS, City Study Finds; Rate Up 22% From 2006." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/14/AR2009031402176.html
- Center for American Progress (2012). "HIV / AIDS Inequality: Structural Barriers to Prevention, Treatment, and Care in Communities of Color: Why We Need A Holistic Approach to Eliminate Racial Disparities in HIV / AIDS." http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/lgbt/report/2012/07/27/11834/hivaids-inequality-structural-barriers-to-prevention-treatment-and-care-in-communities-of-color/
- Neighborhood Info DC (2012). DC 2012 Ward Profile - Well Being. http://www.naco.org/programs/csd/Documents/Criminal%20Justice/A%20Capitol%20Concern.pdf
- The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation (2012). HIV / AIDS Policy: Fact Sheet. www.kff.org/hivaids/upload/8335.pdf
- Center for Disease Control (2010). Washington, District of Columbia--2010 Profile. http://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/stateprofiles/pdf/District_of_Columbia_profile.pdf
- The Washington Post (2012). HIV infection rate skyrockets among some D.C. women. http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-06-20/national/35459333_1_hiv-infection-infection-rate-care-within-three-months
- AIDS Walk Washington (2012). AIDS Walk. https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/522401_435904959789883_1340963472_n.jpg
- The Washington Post (2009). HIV, AIDS in the District. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2009/03/15/GR2009031500462.html?sid=ST2009031402211