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The Emory University AIDSVu study reported that the 23607
ZIP code in Newport News, Va., had the highest concentration of HIV/AIDS
diagnoses in the region. AIDSVu ranked the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News
metropolitan statistical area (MSA) 20th among 103 US metropolitan areas. Emory
University Professor of Epidemiology Patrick Sullivan explained that the AIDSVu
study aimed to identify areas with greatest need for early HIV diagnosis and
treatment interventions. HIV incidence in the city of Newport News was 538 per
100,000 people, and more than 500 of Newport News HIV cases occurred in ZIP
code 23607. This could be due to the fact that the Newport News City Jail was
located there.
Dr. Nzinga Teule-Hekima, director of the Peninsula Health
District, stated that public health officials were aware of the high
concentration of HIV/AIDS cases. Incidence of all STDs and chronic diseases
such as high blood pressure and diabetes also were disproportionately high in
the neighborhoods because residents lacked access to medical care.
According to Virginia Department of Health HIV Surveillance
Assistant Director Celestine Buyu, AIDSVu made state-reported HIV/AIDS data
more accessible to communities. AIDSVu compiled health department data to break
down incidence by city, county, gender, race, and age, and to provide
corresponding data on poverty and education levels. Sullivan noted that only 75
percent of 23607 ZIP code residents had a high school diploma or the
equivalent. Rates within the ZIP code also varied widely by race and gender,
with higher HIV incidence among blacks and among men having sex with men.
AIDSVu began collecting state-level data in 2010, expanded
to include three cities in 2011, and analyzed incidence at the census tract
level in 2012. In 2013, the study included MSAs and began to produce HIV/AIDS
rate and numbers.
HIV/AIDS incidence by ZIP code was available at http://www.AIDSVu.org.
