The 10 States With the Highest AIDS/HIV Rate, Essay Example

Introduction

In the State of Maryland, HIV and AIDS are a serious concern that require further evaluation and focus. This issue represents a significant challenge to the people of the United States, in spite of the control and oversight regarding the disease and the treatments that are available. In Maryland, there are approximately 1,708 cases of AIDS in the state, or 30 cases for every 100,000 people, and 29,282 cases of HIV, or 513.8 per 100,000 people (Flynn, 2012). Approximately 65 percent of cases are in males and 35 percent in females; 78.9 percent are African American, 15.9 percent White, 3.6 percent Hispanic, and others, with the largest number of cases in Baltimore County (Southern AIDS Coalition, 2014). Therefore, the issue poses a number of important risks to the state as a whole if these numbers were to increase for any reason (Flynn, 2012). Furthermore, Maryland is experiencing an increase of cases at the rate of seven percent annually, which is disconcerting and may be difficult to manage over the long term (The Box Houston, 2010). In this context, the state faces critical challenges that must be addressed in the short term in order to avoid any significant crises over the long term.

Analysis

Maryland’s primary concerns include the Baltimore-Towson area and the Washington metropolitan area, both of which have witnessed an increase in cases in recent years, thereby creating a difficult set of circumstances for state residents (Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 2013). Therefore, these areas are prone to greater risk due to the higher density of individuals living in smaller areas, plus the risk of different types of behaviors that may contribute to a risk of HIV and AIDS (Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, 2013). In this context, it is important to identify the specific factors that contribute to these risks and how to address them more effectively through prevention and other strategies.

Most importantly, Maryland faces a critical set of challenges associated with funding for prevention programs and other resources that will have a significant impact on outcomes for those who are at risk for HIV and those who have the disease. From a macro perspective, the population density in Baltimore and other areas attributes to a higher risk, while other factors must also be considered, such as limited education and prevention efforts within this communities. From a micro perspective, high risk behaviors may play a role in HIV and AIDS within the state, and therefore, requires further evaluation and new directions in order to address the problem more effectively and in a comprehensive manner. The younger population must be provided with tools and resources to alleviate some of the risk and must be able to recognize the behaviors that may pose a threat to their health status, as this will go a long way in preventing the disease from expanding in scope throughout the state in the coming years. This includes education and other alternatives to support individuals who are at high risk, such as homosexuals and those who engage in promiscuous behaviors.

Conclusion

It is important for the population of Maryland to take HIV and AIDS seriously so that they are able to promote prevention and improve their oversight regarding the disease and how it impacts their communities. This is an important step towards the discovery of new ideas and approaches to manage HIV and to provide a framework for achieving success in this practice. It is necessary to identify the specific areas where education and oversight might be improved to alleviate these risks, particularly in higher population areas such as Baltimore and Washington. These efforts are likely to go a long way in supporting healthcare needs and expectations throughout the state.

References

The Box Houston (2010). The 10 states with the highest AIDS/HIV rate (is your state on the list)? Retrieved from http://theboxhouston.com/1599631/the-10-states-with-the-highest-aidshiv-rate-is-your-state-on-the-list/

Flynn, C. (2012). HIV/AIDS in Baltimore County: an epidemiological profile. Retrieved from http://www.jhsph.edu/research/affiliated-programs/AIDS-linked-to-the-intravenous-experience/_documents/Baltimore_HIV_Statistics_MDHMH.pdf

Johns Hopkins School of Public Health (2013). New HIV Rankings for Maryland. Retrieved from http://www.jhsph.edu/research/affiliated-programs/AIDS-linked-to-the-intravenous-experience/_documents/New_HIV_Rankings_for_Maryland.pdf

Southern AIDS Coalition (2010). HIV/AIDS in Maryland, 2009-2010. Retrieved from http://southernaidscoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Maryland_2009-2010_FINAL.pdf