The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released data showing that HIV still disproportionately affects African Americans.

Recent strides have been made, with the diagnosis rate for African Americans decreasing 16.2 percent from 2010 to 2014, but there is still progress to be made.

A Large Percentage of the Population

In 2015, African Americans were 45 percent of new HIV diagnoses. Black women were diagnosed 16 times more often than white women.

At the time of diagnosis, African Americans were typically further in the infection timeline, and received lower levels of care.

It is a troubling situation, that not only is the disease more prominent in this ethnic group, but that this ethnic group consistently receives a lower level of care.

How to Improve the Situation for the Future

The National HIV/AIDS strategy has ambitious goals to hit by 2020.

It wants to reach 85 percent linkage to care for African Americans and 90 percent retention in care.

Currently, the rate is 71.6 percent linkage to care, and barely over 50 percent for retention in care.

If these goals are to be met, then more needs to be done to hit them.

Improved HIV Care Washington DC

Our mission and role at Capital Medical Associates is to partner with the community to assess, plan and implement effective patient health strategies to reduce the spread of HIV.

If you would like to make an appointment, please fill out our contact form or call (202) 822-6311.