Research shows African-American women, many living in Atlanta, are being infected with HIV. So much so that the new cases are being compared to African countries. Click below to find out more.
Data collected in 2009 from the health departments in Clayton, Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Douglas and Gwinnett counties indicates infection rates of HIV and AIDS, respectively, as follows: (This is for women and men combined, all races.)
Fulton: 4,213 and 7,342
DeKalb: 3,257 and 3,983
Clayton: 847 and 943
Cobb and Douglas: 1,030 and 1,288
Gwinnett: 884 and 1,041
In another study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, black women make up 60 percent of all new HIV cases among women. That’s 15 times higher than white women and four percent higher than Hispanic women.
But studies also show black women are no more likely than women of other races to engage in risky behaviors.
So what’s the problem? We went searching for some answers.
“I sat back and it’s like he stole my life,” said Terri Gardner of Cartersville. “I wanted him dead.” Why? “Because now — you have not only taken my life. Who wants somebody that’s HIV positive?”
Gardner, 55, said she was robbed by the man she says infected her with HIV.
