Although HIV rates have continued to rise, it has not reached the epidemic prophesied in the 1980’s. HIV rates have disproportionally affected homosexual men ages 33-37yrs old. This statistic also holds true for Dallas County. Residents with the highest HIV rates are located in Central Dallas extending to the Northwest and Southeast parts of the county.
Performing a zip code to zip code ethnic analysis of Dallas County I found a direct correlation to the percentage of African American residents and HIV infection rates. This also holds true for Hispanics. However, there is a decrease in HIV infection rates as the percentage of Caucasians in a zip code increases.
The amount of household income continues to play a key role in HIV rates. As the household income of a zip code decreases the percentage of those infected with HIV and AIDS increases.
I also noticed a correlation between HIV prevalence rate and the average level of education. It seems residents living in the highest infected area have an average of only a 9th grade education.
So what does all this mean and how can you and I do about it? I do not feel simply moving to a less infected area will help solve or even reduce the problem. Look at these statistics as symptoms of the problem. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has performed numerous studies that have lead to the conclusion that public awareness will make the biggest difference. It is estimated that someone is infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) every 9 ½ minutes.
Are you or someone you know living with HIV? What is your opinion? Would education young children on what HIV is and how it is contracted help?
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