Upon examining the various maps on page 11 of our text, it’s clear that the HIV/AIDS spread has been more prevalent in urban areas of Ohio (Cleveland, Toledo, Columbus, CIncinnati). These urban areas act as the core-periphery for various regions of Ohio, and the rural areas see weaker cultural attributes as we move further away from the central points of these regions.

The city of Columbus boosts a large population of 298,165 and is a college town (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/39/3915000.html.). Columbus also is home to many corporations, such as JP Morgan Chase, Huntington Bank, Victoria’s Secret, Abercrombie & Fitch. There also appears a lack of educated workers to meet the city’s high demand for engineers (http://www.forbes.com/sites/erincarlyle/2014/09/18/forbes-opportunity-cities-19-places-where-it-may-be-easier-to-make-your-mark/.). Other urban cities with large numbers of HIV/AIDs case include: Dayton (2014 estimated population: 141,003), Cleveland (389,521), and Toledo (281,031), CIncinnati (298,165) (www.census.gov.). When I examined the figures related to poverty, I discovered the U.S. has 14.5%, while those in poverty in CIncinnati are 30.4%, Toledo 27.2%, and Cleveland 35.4%. I also noticed higher rates of African-Americans in these cities compared to the U.S. figure of 13.2%. Cincinnati has an African-American population of 44.8%, Toledo 27.2%, Cleveland at 53.3%. To understand how the higher HIV/AIDs rate correspond to poverty, race and other factors, I had to look at some other sources of information.

Poverty may lead to a lifestyle that promotes illegal activity, such as drug use. African-Americans live in residential areas that are more segregated and concentrated. They are more likely to have sexual partners of their own race. Another symptom of poverty among African-Americans is that poor women with less education are more likely to be reliant on their sexual partners, and thus will more likely tolerate a partner’s risky sexual behaviors (multiple sexual partners).

When considering lifestyle factors, it’s important to note that in 2011, HIV infection among African-American males 72% HIV transmitted from male-to-male. In 2011, 34% of whites were infected, while 39% African-Americans were HIV infected. In the U.S., the MSM (men who have sex with men) population is 2% while only 12% of the U.S. population is African-American. It seems a disproportionate amount of African-Americans who are identified at MSM.(http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-among-african-americans.htm.). Furthermore, though African-Americans represent a small number in population at just 12%, they accounted for 44% of new HIV infections (http://kff.org/hivaids/fact-sheet/black-americans-and-hiv-aids/.).

Geographically, the spread of HIV/AIDS in the U.S. is not uniform. Ten of America’s largest cities accounted for 59% of African-Americans living with HIV in 2009. (http://kff.org/hivaids/fact-sheet/black-americans-and-hiv-aids/.). Other key factors in the higher numbers of HIV/AIDS related to socioeconomics are: Poverty- those with less access to healthcare, less educational and economic advantages. These vulnerable conditions are more likely to lead individuals to illicit and risky activity. Impoverished people are more likely to live in areas with higher concentrations of illicit activity, crime, drugs and even prostitution.

Less access to healthcare also means undiagnosed cases of HIV/AIDS. And since there is higher crime rates in urban areas, more people are incarcerated. That factor can disrupt the social and sexual network and leave women seeking other partners. Most incarcerated people have the HIV/AIDS virus prior to incarceration. It is only upon entering the correctional institution that they may learn of their disease. While HIV testing is available in prison systems, the testing is not available for most jail inmates. There is such a high turnover of jail inmates (most are released within 72 hours), that it is difficult for the system to monitor HIV/AIDS cases. Most likely, the money is not available to provide testing for jail inmates. (http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/correctional.html.). One must also consider the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS- inmates are unlikely to disclose such personal information.

It is my understanding that HIV/AIDS is more rampant in urban communities due to socioeconomic factors such as poverty, lifestyle choices, disadvantaged social conditions, lack of proper healthcare, social stigma and prevalence of criminal activity in larger, urban cities with the most vulnerable people inhabiting these areas.

Sources:
(http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/39/3915000.html.)
(http://www.forbes.com/sites/erincarlyle/2014/09/18/forbes-opportunity-cities-19-places-where-it-may-be-easier-to-make-your-mark/.)
(www.census.gov.)
(http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-among-african-americans.htm.)
(http://kff.org/hivaids/fact-sheet/black-americans-and-hiv-aids/.)
(http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/correctional.html.)