January 17, 2014:  SASI publishes article in AIDS Care: HIV/AIDS in the Southern United States: A Disproportionate Epidemic. Abstract available here.

Using 2011 CDC data, SASI researchers have documented the continuing disproportionate epidemic in the Southern United States and particularly in 9 targeted deep south states, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and East Texas.

New HIV Diagnosis Rate Map

2011 data re: HIV/AIDS in the Southern Region

• 49% of new HIV diagnoses and 49% of new AIDS diagnoses in 2011 were located in the South, a region that accounts for only 37% of the US population.
• The South had the highest HIV diagnosis rate in the US.
• The South had the highest HIV diagnosis rate and the highest AIDS diagnosis rate in the US in 2011.
• All 10 metropolitan areas with the highest AIDS diagnosis rates in 2011 were in the South.

2011 data re: HIV/AIDS in the targeted Deep South

 (AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN and East Texas)

• 32% of new HIV diagnoses in 2011 were located in 9 targeted deep south states that account for 22% of the US population.
• The targeted deep south states, when considered as a geographic region, had the highest HIV diagnosis rate and the highest AIDS diagnosis rate in the US in 2011.
• Nine of the 10 metropolitan areas with the highest AIDS diagnosis rates in 2011 were in the targeted deep south states. 

Southern States had some of the worst HIV Death rates 

• The Southern US had significantly lower 3-year HIV survival rates than the US average.*
• Nine of the 10 states with the highest HIV case fatality rates were in the South; 8 were in targeted deep south states.**

The article highlights social determinants of health that may contribute to the Southern HIV epidemic, including high rates of sexually transmitted diseases, high poverty rates, stigma, the disproportionate impact of HIV on racial minorities in the South, state geography and culture, and the lack of adequate health care financing.

* Hanna, D., Selik, R., Tang, T., & Gange, S. (2011). Disparities among states in hiv-related mortality in persons with hiv infection, 37 U.S. STATES, 2001-2007. AIDS, Early Release.

** Prejean, J., Tang, T., & Hall, I. (2012). HIV diagnoses and prevalence in the southern region of the United States, 2007-2010. Journal of Community Health, Epub.