Washington DC Has Highest HIV/AIDS Infection Rate Of Any City In U.S.

Washington, DC (AHN)-The HIV/AIDS infection rate in the city of Washington, DC has increased at an alarming rate, city officials said, giving the U.S. capital the dubious distinction of having the highest AIDS infection rate of any city in the U.S.

The report, which examined those who live in the District of Columbia, found the disease to be infecting people at an epidemic rate, including an increase in the number of infants, older adults, women, and heterosexual men who have contacted the disease.

According to the new report, more than 12,400 people in D.C. are living with either HIV or AIDS, translating to about 1 person out of every 50 being infected.

Washington D.C. is home to approximately 500,000 people, with African Americans accounting for over half of the population, at around 57 percent. However, black residents account for 81 percent of the city's new infection cases, and about 86 percent of those currently living with the disease.

But, African Americans are not the only group to be targeted in the spread of the HIV/AIDS virus. Researchers found that the number of new H.I.V. cases among men and women ages 40 to 49 has increased dramatically since 2004, as well as the number who become infected through heterosexual contact. Nearly 37 of the new cases detected became infected after heterosexual contact, compared to the 25 percent of cases attributable to men having sex with men.

Dr. Shannon Hader, head of the city's HIV/AIDS Administration, says the city has slowly begun confronting the problem, including voluntary screening to all incoming prison inmates, increased the locations of free screenings to city residents, and initiated a free condom distribution program.