D.C. has a staggering 3% HIV rate, three times the rate CDC defines as an Epidemic (Tanne, 2009).
The national rate is .4%, New York City's is 1.4% (New York Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, 2009).
D.C. HIV/AIDS prevalence falls between Nigeria (2.5%) and Togo (3.2%) (CIA, 2008).
15,120 people are living with HIV/AIDS in D.C. (D.C. Department of Health, 2009).
And estimated 1/3-1/2 of all HIV positive individuals have not been tested and are unaware of their status. (D.C. Department of Health).
Homelessness and HIV
401 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are homeless living on the streets of D.C. (D.C. Department of Health, 2009).
Homeless persons are more likely to engage in behaviors with a high risk of transmission (Kidder, Daniel et al, 2008).
Stable housing has been shown to reduce behaviors such as unprotected sex, sharing needles, and prostitution (Kidder, Daniel et al, 2008).
PLWHA also have test healthier and live longer when they have stable housing (Kidder, Daniel et al, 2008)
Bibliography
-DC Department of Health . (2008). DC HIV/AIDS Epidemiology 2008 update. Retrieved September 21, 2009, from DOH: HIV/AIDS Administration: http://doh.dc.gov/doh/frames.asp?doc=/doh/lib/doh/pdf/dc_hiv-aids_2008_updatereport.pdf -DC Department of Health. (2009, February). District if Columbia HIV/AIDS Epidemiogy Update 2008. Retrieved September 15, 2009, from District if Columbia Department of Health: http://dchealth.dc.gov/doh/frames.asp?doc=/doh/lib/doh/pdf/dc_hiv-aids_2008_updatereport.pdf -Daniel P. K., Richard J.W., Sherri L.P., & Michael L.C. (2008). Housing Status and HIV Risk Behaviors Among Homeless and Housed Persons with HIV. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome , 49. -New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. (2009). New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Retrieved September 15, 2009, from HIV/AIDS Information: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/ah/ah.shtml - Tanne, J. H. (2009, March 28). HIV Prevelence in US capital matches some african nations. Retrieved from BMJ: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/338/mar23_1/b1205