Mar 29, 2008 12:49 am US/Eastern
Baltimore Ranked 2nd In Nation For HIV/AIDS Cases
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
One epidemic has long been out of control.
Kathryn Brown reports a new study on HIV and AIDS nationwide finds Baltimore is one of the worst cities in the country for contracting the disease.
Experts call it a state of emergency. The Baltimore area has now risen to the rank of second in the country for HIV and AIDS.
In 2002, Baltimore City leaders declared a state of emergency relating to the spread of HIV and AIDS. But six years later the crisis has escalated to an alarming level.
Someone is infected with HIV in Baltimore City every eight hours, making Baltimore the second worst city in the nation.
"I'm slightly surprised. I didn't realize it was that big an epidemic here. I know it's a big deal in a lot of different areas, but I wasn't sure it was that close to home," said Sarah Hopkins of Towson.
"I am surprised actually. I guess I shouldn't be," said Genesis Neely of Towson.
A study by the Baltimore City Commission on HIV and AIDS points "hot zones" by zip codes.
"These are heavy poverty areas within the city. They're areas with high rates of commercial sex work, sex for drugs and drug abuse," said Dr. William Blattner from the Commission on HIV/AIDS.
But experts are quick to point out the AIDS crisis extends to Towson and other suburban areas outside the city.
"Alarming, yeah, just to find that out. It's sort of scary that it's in our own city right now," said Bobby Lipinski of Baltimore.
"A lot of people do have unprotected sex unfortunately," said Meghan Tyson.
The study shows AIDS cases are most prevalent among African-Americans, especially females, as well as sexually active populations and injection drug users.
The report rails against the city for not taking drastic action earlier and calls on city leaders to develop strategic plan to combat the deadly disease.
The city Commission on HIV/AIDS will now formally request a cabinet-level official to be in charge of all prevention and treatment of AIDS.
The commission is hoping to reverse Baltimore's growing trend by the year 2010.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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