Texas AIDS Deaths Decline, but More Youths HIV-Positive

The 2010 annual HIV report from the Texas Department of State Health Services shows fewer Texans are dying of AIDS, but more young adults ages 15-24 are becoming infected.

Since 2004, the state has seen the number of residents living with HIV increase by 36 percent, from 47,986 to 65,077. Around one-third of HIV-positive Texans live in the greater Houston area. Among counties, Harris led in new HIV infections, AIDS cases, and people living with HIV; its HIV case rate was second only to Dallas.

The report indicates African-Americans and gay and bisexual men continue to be disproportionately impacted by the disease. Of the 4,242 HIV diagnoses last year, 42 percent were black, 31 percent Hispanic and 25 percent Anglos. More than one-half of HIV-positive Texans were infected through male-to-male sex.

Furthermore, one-third of residents are diagnosed late, receiving an HIV-positive and AIDS diagnosis within the same year. This was the case for 42 percent of Hispanic patients, compared with 32 percent of Anglos and 31 percent of blacks.

Roughly one-third of Texans diagnosed with the virus do not receive HIV-related health care, with the need greatest among black and Hispanic men, 25- to 44-year-olds, and people diagnosed in the Houston area or along the US-Mexico border.

“More attention should be directed towards preventing HIV infections among the youngest age cohorts, especially among racial and ethnic minorities,” the report concludes.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!