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Texas is on the forefront of a regarding nationwide development, rising as one of many highest-ranking states within the U.S. for brand new HIV diagnoses, in accordance with knowledge from the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
As of 2019, Texas recorded roughly 100,000 people dwelling with HIV. Houston, the most important metropolis in Texas, stands on the epicenter of this disaster, significantly impacting the Black and Hispanic communities. Disturbingly, the Houston Well being Division reviews that Blacks and African Individuals represent 50% of all HIV/AIDS circumstances, whereas Latinos comprise 29%.
The Facilities for Illness Management (CDC) highlights that Houston ranks ninth within the nation for charges of latest HIV diagnoses, with considerably decrease charges of individuals remaining in HIV care and attaining viral suppression in comparison with the nationwide common. Alarming knowledge reveals that the very best burden is borne by youthful Black males who’ve intercourse with males (YBMSM), constituting 19% of all new diagnoses.
A latest research led by researchers from the Brown College Faculty of Public Well being, the College of Texas Well being Science Middle, and the College of Chicago sheds gentle on potential avenues to curb the rising HIV infections, significantly amongst YBMSM in Houston.
The research proposes that increasing Medicaid underneath the Inexpensive Care Act and rising the utilization of preventive and antiviral medicines, resembling PrEP, may result in a considerable lower in new HIV circumstances.
Houston’s standing as one in every of solely 11 states but to undertake Medicaid enlargement underneath the Inexpensive Care Act raises vital questions on entry to healthcare and preventive providers. Increasing Medicaid may considerably enhance the panorama for at-risk individuals, offering entry to important healthcare assets at the moment out of attain for a lot of people.
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