Atlanta faces significant public health challenges related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Understanding local HIV prevalence is an important step in addressing these health disparities. This involves examining the number of people living with HIV, identifying new diagnoses, and exploring factors influencing the virus’s spread within the metropolitan area.
Current HIV Prevalence in Atlanta
The Atlanta metropolitan area reports a substantial number of individuals living with HIV. In 2021, approximately 40,931 people were living with HIV across metro Atlanta, a rate of 662.5 per 100,000 population. By 2022, this increased to 43,257 people, with a prevalence rate of 846 cases per 100,000. This figure accounts for 3.9% of all people living with HIV nationwide.
The region also sees many new HIV diagnoses each year. In 2021, the 20-county Atlanta metro area recorded 1,562 new cases, a rate of 25.4 new diagnoses per 100,000 people. This positioned metro Atlanta as having the third-highest rate of new HIV diagnoses among U.S. metropolitan areas in 2021, behind Miami and Memphis. The Atlanta area alone accounted for over half of Georgia’s total 2,371 new HIV diagnoses in 2021.
By 2022, new diagnoses in Atlanta reached 1,751. Georgia as a whole reported an estimated 2,100 new HIV infections in 2022, with a statewide rate of 23.1 cases per 100,000 residents, the highest in the country. Within the metropolitan area, Fulton County reported 430 new HIV infections in 2022 (46.5 per 100,000 people), while DeKalb County saw 390 new infections (60.6 per 100,000 people) in the same year.
Key Factors Influencing HIV in Atlanta
The HIV epidemic in Atlanta is shaped by demographic, socioeconomic, and healthcare access factors. Certain communities experience a disproportionate burden. Black individuals account for 74% of new HIV diagnoses in metro Atlanta. In 2022, Black Atlantans constituted 72% of HIV cases despite representing only 33% of the city’s population. The HIV diagnosis rate among Black males is nearly six times higher than among white males, and for Black females, it is 16.1 times higher than for white females.
Hispanic individuals also face elevated infection rates. Men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be a primary affected group, with 93% of all new HIV cases in Fulton County occurring among this population. Younger age groups are also impacted; in Fulton County, 70% of new diagnoses are among individuals under 40.
Socioeconomic factors contribute to challenges for HIV prevention and care. Poverty is a driver, creating barriers to healthcare access and intensifying social vulnerabilities that increase HIV risk. There are correlations between high HIV prevalence and areas with higher rates of poverty, income inequality, and lower median household incomes. Housing instability and transportation issues further complicate access to consistent care and prevention services.
Healthcare access is also hindered by systemic issues. Georgia’s decision not to expand Medicaid, for example, leaves approximately one million adults under 65 uninsured, correlating with higher HIV rates in cities like Atlanta. Stigma surrounding HIV remains a barrier, particularly within Black communities, making individuals hesitant to seek testing or treatment. A lack of awareness about effective prevention methods like PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and a shortage of healthcare providers comfortable prescribing it limit uptake.
Local Prevention and Care Strategies
Atlanta employs various strategies to prevent new HIV infections and provide care for those living with the virus. Testing campaigns are a core element, with public health clinics and community organizations offering free and confidential HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing. Rapid HIV testing options are available, providing quick results and facilitating timely linkage to care.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) programs are a key part of prevention. PrEP involves taking a daily pill or receiving a long-acting injectable that can reduce HIV acquisition risk by over 90% when used consistently. Efforts are underway to expand access to PrEP, with initiatives like Fulton County funding the first PrEP clinic in Georgia specifically for uninsured individuals. Grady Health System also offers free PrEP access to residents of Fulton and DeKalb counties. Challenges persist, including PrEP cost for some uninsured individuals and a need for greater provider knowledge and comfort in prescribing the medication.
Harm reduction services prevent HIV transmission among people who inject drugs. Organizations like the Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition operate syringe services programs, providing sterile injection equipment, condoms, and naloxone for overdose prevention. These programs also offer direct client services, including food, water, and housing assistance, recognizing that broader social needs impact health outcomes.
Linkage-to-care programs ensure individuals diagnosed with HIV receive timely treatment and support. Various organizations connect newly diagnosed individuals to medical care, including HIV, Hepatitis C (HCV), and STI treatment, as well as substance use and mental health services. Fulton County, for example, aims to provide HIV care treatment within 72 hours of a positive test result. Broader systemic efforts, such as Fulton County’s participation in the Fast Track Cities initiative, aim to align local responses with global targets for ending the HIV epidemic.
Resources and Support for Atlanta Residents
Atlanta residents seeking HIV testing, prevention, or care services have access to a network of resources. Public health clinics, such as those operated by the Fulton County Board of Health, provide HIV testing and prevention services. These clinics often offer free or reduced-cost testing and referrals for further care.
Community health centers, including Grady Health System, are providers of HIV services and care. Numerous non-profit organizations also address HIV in Atlanta, including AID Atlanta, the Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition, Someone Cares, SisterLove, Aniz, Inc., and AvitaCare Atlanta.
These organizations offer a range of services. Individuals can access HIV and STI testing, PrEP and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) programs, and direct medical care. Support services extend beyond clinical care to include case management, mental health counseling, substance use services, and assistance with housing and transportation. Many also provide peer support, recognizing the value of shared experiences.
The Georgia Department of Public Health website provides information and resources related to HIV epidemiology and care. National directories like AIDSVu.org/testing and Greater Than HIV offer search tools to find local testing sites, PrEP providers, and care services in the Atlanta area.