Atlanta is navigating a dual-pandemic, with city leaders focused on combating the spread of Covid-19 while also battling the continued spread of HIV/AIDS in pockets of communities. The HIV/AIDs pandemic has infected one out of every 51 Atlanta residents, and of those infected, 66 percent are Black. The Covid-19 health crisis has only compounded the health inequities faced by Black residents, especially those who are suffering with HIV/AIDs. To address the HIV/AIDs public health crisis, city leadership, in partnership with the Fulton County Board of Health, expanded access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, a highly effective, preventative treatment for noninfected, high-risk populations. While the focus of public health organizations has understandably shifted to combating Covid-19, city leaders know they must continue to expand concurrent efforts to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS.
To support this work, Atlanta is partnering with FUSE Executive Fellow Karterria Finkley to help devise a targeted, cross-sector strategic plan in collaboration with other key public health stakeholders to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Atlanta. City leadership aims to advance existing and new recommendations to prevent, promote, and help communities address the HIV/AIDS epidemic, improving the health of Black residents who have been disproportionately impacted by both public health crises.
