HIV in Atlanta: Shocking Facts for LGBTQIA+ Community

5 Shocking Facts About HIV in Atlanta for LGBTQIA+ Persons

Some zip codes in Atlanta have HIV/AIDS rates that are about six to eight times higher than the national average. Considering how LGBTQIA+ persons are at risk of contracting HIV, this calls for a unified effort including free HIV tests and the widespread adoption of preventive measures.

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Along with the high rates of HIV Atlanta, there’s another startling fact that should jolt us into action. By the time patients in the city are diagnosed as HIV positive, almost a quarter of them have AIDS. In other words, they would have been living with the virus for anywhere from eight to 10 years.

In this blog post, we discuss five startling facts about HIV in Atlanta in the LGBTQIA+ community, and how we can address these challenges through systemic efforts.

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Fact 1: Disproportionate Impact on LGBTQIA+ Individuals

Multiple studies have found that HIV disproportionately affects certain communities. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) had come out with a landmark report in 2001 that revealed that black gay men, for example, had higher rates of HIV infection when compared to other groups. Even after two decades, the situation hasn’t changed.

It is an unfortunate truth that HIV disproportionately affects LGBTQIA+ individuals. According to the CDC, approximately 66% of new HIV diagnoses in Atlanta in 2018 were among gay and bisexual men. This population bears the burden of the epidemic, and it is crucial to educate and empower them with information that can help reduce transmission rates.

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Fact 2: Intersectionality and the Impact on Communities of Color

HIV/AIDS has deep intersectionality with race and ethnicity, compounding the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ communities of color. In 2018, it was found that almost 20 percent of all new HIV diagnoses were in women, particularly African-American and Latina. It’s alarming because Black and Brown women form only a third of the female population in the US.

It is particularly disconcerting that Black and Hispanic LGBTQIA+ individuals in Atlanta remain at a disproportionately higher risk of contracting HIV. Moving beyond race-centric narratives rooted in myths and biases, we need to address the social determinants of health such as systemic racism, poverty, and lack of access to healthcare to curb the epidemic within these communities.

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Fact 3: Stigma and discrimination

Stigma plays an important role in ethnic and racial health disparities. Stigma and discrimination continue to be major barriers to HIV prevention and education within the LGBTQIA+ community. Due to fear of judgment or rejection, individuals may be reluctant to seek testing, or treatment, or disclose their status to sexual partners.

This silence perpetuates the spread of the virus and prevents an open dialogue about prevention strategies. Eradicating stigma through education, awareness campaigns, and fostering inclusive environments is critical to combating the epidemic. We need to strengthen economic empowerment and trust and enhance social support at individual levels to fight social stigma and reduce these ethnic and racial disparities.

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Fact 4: Limited access to healthcare

Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health revealed in a study that black men don’t have more sexual partners than their white counterparts. Nor do they engage in particularly risky sexual behaviors. The prevalence and spread of HIV among this group in Atlanta can be attributed to another factor. They are more disadvantaged, lack insurance, and may not have transportation to access a clinic.

These systemic barriers exist for all LGBTQIA+ individuals, especially those with limited resources. Add to that the limited cultural competency among healthcare providers and discriminatory practices and what you get is a situation that structurally limits access to healthcare for LGBTQIA+ persons. Collaborations between healthcare providers, advocacy organizations, and policymakers are necessary to ensure that all individuals receive the care they need.
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Fact 5: The Role of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a daily pill that prevents HIV transmission, is a game-changer in the fight against HIV. However, despite its effectiveness, there is a significant gap in PrEP usage among LGBTQIA+ individuals in Atlanta. The gap between the numbers of persons with PrEP indications and those prescribed PrEP was substantial, especially among persons in female, black, and Hispanic populations.

According to the CDC, Blacks accounted for only 11.2 percent of those who filled PrEP prescriptions. Reasons for this may include a lack of awareness, misconceptions, and limited access to healthcare providers who prescribe PrEP. Focused efforts are needed to increase the impact of PrEP among vulnerable sections including LGBTQIA+ persons. Raising awareness, expanding access to PrEP, and ensuring affordability should be priorities to reduce new HIV infections.

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Conclusion

It is time for us to collectively confront the challenges faced by Atlanta's LGBTQIA+ community. That begins by ensuring that accurate information, non-judgmental healthcare, and prevention strategies are readily available to all. By acknowledging these alarming facts and working together, we can make Atlanta a city where all LGBTQIA+ individuals have the resources and support they need to prevent and manage HIV. Let us unite and stand against HIV/AIDS, fostering an inclusive society for everyone.