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DC's AIDS/HIV Rate Soars

Proportion higher than in West Africa: official

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 15, 2009 7:40 AM CDT

(Newser) – The soaring 3% HIV/AIDS rate in Washington, DC, is triple the proportion that qualifies as a “generalized and severe epidemic,” according to a new report. That means some 15,120 people in the city over the age of 12 are infected, the Washington Post reports. Such rates are “on par with Uganda and some parts of Kenya,” said a local HIV/AIDS official. The reports found HIV and AIDS have jumped 22% since the end of 2006.

The HIV/AIDS rate in Washington is far beyond a generalized and severe epidemic level.
The HIV/AIDS rate in Washington is far beyond a "generalized and severe epidemic" level.   (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
Washington's HIV/AIDS rate matches Uganda's and parts of Kenya's, says an official.
Washington's HIV/AIDS rate matches Uganda's and parts of Kenya's, says an official.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
scottaco
Mar 17, 2009 6:50 AM CDT
It's one of two little pricks. Heathens.
Guest
Mar 16, 2009 4:46 AM CDT
Is it the homeless or the uninsured? Is it the high black population or the high faith population? Is it no education about safe sex because talking about sex could send you to hell...?
Guest
Mar 15, 2009 1:23 AM CDT
I only drove through there in '93 but noted a high homeless population. I do NOT want to point a finger at the homeless there. I certainly was surprised, although I am not sure why, that DC had so many. It has been a fear of mine that ANY plague of any sort would rapidly spread through that communal system. Shelters have no heath standards such as prisons do.

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