SHELBY COUNTY, TN – There is an “alarming” increase in the number of new positive HIV tests in Shelby County; that’s all the public knows. The extent of the outbreak has not been quantified for the public.
The Shelby County Health Department has noted a recent alarming increase in newly diagnosed cases of HIV in our community. This increase impacts persons of all ages, but the incidence is highest among young persons aged 14 to 35. And the increase in new HIV cases is not spread evenly throughout the county. Certain zip code areas have much higher STI incidence levels than the county overall. These zip codes include 38103, 38105, 38106, 38107, 38108, 38109, 38114, 38118, 38126, and 38127.
HIV testing is the critical first step in addressing and containing the increasing rates we have noted. To increase testing and treatment rates and ultimately reduce the number of new HIV cases, the Shelby County Health Department, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH), United Way of Greater Nashville, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is launching an ambitious outreach program to bring testing into the communities where infection rates are highest. We strongly encourage all residents to consider getting tested to “Know Your Status.”
“Knowing your HIV status is the first step to protecting your health,” said Shelby County Health Department Director-Health Officer Dr. Michelle Taylor. “HIV can be successfully suppressed with medications, allowing HIV-positive persons to live long and healthy lives. HIV treatment and related supportive care is available at no cost to patients. The first step is to take advantage of our free community testing opportunities to learn your status.”
Beyond issuing a press release on the matter, Shelby County residents do not have access to the exact data that would contextualize the uptick.
