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Data Incubator: Ending the HIV Epidemic in Atlanta

Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S.

Many cities, counties, and states are developing and implementing plans to end the HIV epidemic in their jurisdictions. Complementing these local efforts is a ten-year national initiative known as Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America, which has brought a new wave of attention, commitment, and resources to achieve the goal of ending the HIV epidemic in the U.S. by 2030.

“Ending the Epidemic” (EHE) plans across the United States bring together coalitions of local stakeholders to establish shared goals and strategies for ending the HIV epidemic in a city, county, state, or other jurisdiction. EtE plans are tailored to the context, needs, and resources of a particular jurisdiction and tend to take a broad, holistic view of the drivers of the local HIV epidemic. The development of these plans is usually informed by extensive community consultation.

Ending the HIV Epidemic in Georgia

In response to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Georgia’s 2017-2021 HIV Prevention and Care Plan reflects the shared vision and values regarding how best to deliver HIV prevention and care services. The plan identifies HIV prevention and care needs, present resources, barriers, gaps within local jurisdictions, and outlines a plan to meet continuous HIV prevention and care needs.

AIDSVu has created a set of custom static maps overlaying health district boundaries to provide additional context, as Georgia does its planning by health district.

Ending the HIV Epidemic in Atlanta

Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb and Fulton counties have been identified by the federal government as one of over 45 counties in the nation with the highest incidence of HIV infections.

Ending the HIV epidemic is only possible through the efforts of local public health officials, community organizations, and advocates. These four counties in Georgia were chosen to receive special funding in order to facilitate these local efforts.

Ending The HIV Epidemic Indicators, DeKalb County, 2021

Estimated HIV Incidence

320

Knowledge of HIV Status

85.8%

HIV Diagnoses

342

Linkage to HIV Care

82.7%

Viral Suppression

64%

PrEP Coverage

32.1%

Ending The HIV Epidemic Indicators, Fulton County, 2021

Estimated HIV Incidence

530

Knowledge of HIV Status

86.3%

HIV Diagnoses

525

Linkage to HIV Care

83.4%

Viral Suppression

62.4%

PrEP Coverage

32.3%

Ending The HIV Epidemic Indicators, Cobb County, 2021

Estimated HIV Incidence

N/A

Knowledge of HIV Status

83.8%

HIV Diagnoses

152

Linkage to HIV Care

86.2%

Viral Suppression

66.6%

PrEP Coverage

27.5%

Ending The HIV Epidemic Indicators, Gwinnett County, 2021

Estimated HIV Incidence

N/A

Knowledge of HIV Status

84.6%

HIV Diagnoses

165

Linkage to HIV Care

87.3%

Viral Suppression

67.1%

PrEP Coverage

31.2%

PrEP as an EHE Tool in GA

The Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative aims to provide more resources to communities disproportionately affected by HIV and reach more minority populations at risk. Expanding access to PrEP is a central part of the initiative. PrEP is a daily pill that’s up to 99% effective in preventing sexual HIV transmission. Today, however, PrEP isn’t being prescribed to enough people who could benefit from it, especially young people and racial and ethnic minorities. Among the clients seen at many community health centers, many don’t have a consistent primary health care provider; instead they access sporadic care at public health centers where the few physicians who could prescribe PrEP are stretched thin. Some don’t believe they are at risk for HIV or are afraid to try PrEP due to misinformation about side effects. Many, especially those without health insurance, assume they can’t afford PrEP medications. And some simply have never heard of this prevention method.

PrEP could have a big impact in DeKalb County, for instance, an area with demonstrated success serving racial and ethnic minority populations and where the HIV diagnosis rate is four times higher than in the U.S. overall. But, until recently, the county didn’t have the resources or provider capacity to provide PrEP assessments, education, and support at local health centers.

“Our team has long wanted to offer PrEP to the community,” said Dr. Sentayehu Bedane with the DeKalb County Board of Health. “EHE funding was the engine we needed to set the program in motion. These services are filling a critical gap in HIV prevention for people in our county.”

View the Map

Explore AIDSVu’s state, county, and city maps and profiles to learn more about the 48 cities, 7 states, and two cities targeted by the initiative.

Number of Persons Newly Diagnosed with HIV, 2021

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Learn From Experts

Read our series of Q&A’s with leading experts to learn more about efforts to end the HIV epidemic.

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