COVID-19 Deaths among People with HIV in Georgia, 2020–2021
Abstract
Background
Georgia is currently ranked 13th for COVID-19 death rates by state/territory and had the 3rd highest rate of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence in 2020 among states. COVID-19 caused an estimated 32,236 deaths in Georgia during 2020–2021. This study’s aim was to describe the impact of COVID-19 on people with HIV (PWH) in Georgia.
Methods
Data came from Georgia’s COVID-19 surveillance and enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System (eHARS). Confirmed or probable COVID-19 deaths were matched to eHARS by death certificate number. COVID-19 deaths were defined using the definition in use by Georgia DPH during that time period. We determined the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 in 2020–2021 and describe which groups of PWH were disproportionately affected.
Results
During 2017–2019, there was an average of 750.7 deaths among PWH per year compared to 842 deaths in 2020 and 903 in 2021. Based on the HIV and COVID-19 surveillance match, there were 84 COVID-19 deaths in 2020 and 167 in 2021 among PWH. A higher percent of PWH who died of COVID-19 were 60 and older than all PWH (46.1% versus 18.8%). Additionally, a higher percent of PWH who died of COVID-19 were Black (74.5% versus 68.0%), female (31.9% versus 23.3%), and residents of central (districts 4, 5-1, 5-2, 6, 7, 10) and southern (districts 8-1, 8-2, 9-1, 9-2) Georgia, compared with all PWH (29.9% and 17.1% versus 18.0% and 11.9%, respectively). Residents of northern (districts 1-1, 1-2, 2) in contrast, accounted for a smaller proportion of deaths than all PWH (3.2% versus 5.0%).
Conclusion
The disproportionate impact among people with HIV who are older, Black, and residents of areas outside of metro Atlanta is mostly consistent with patterns in overall COVID-19 deaths in Georgia. COVID-19 vaccination remains an important protective measure that is recommended for all PWH.
Keywords
HIV, COVID-19, deaths
COVID-19 Deaths among People with HIV in Georgia, 2020–2021
Background
Georgia is currently ranked 13th for COVID-19 death rates by state/territory and had the 3rd highest rate of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence in 2020 among states. COVID-19 caused an estimated 32,236 deaths in Georgia during 2020–2021. This study’s aim was to describe the impact of COVID-19 on people with HIV (PWH) in Georgia.
Methods
Data came from Georgia’s COVID-19 surveillance and enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System (eHARS). Confirmed or probable COVID-19 deaths were matched to eHARS by death certificate number. COVID-19 deaths were defined using the definition in use by Georgia DPH during that time period. We determined the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 in 2020–2021 and describe which groups of PWH were disproportionately affected.
Results
During 2017–2019, there was an average of 750.7 deaths among PWH per year compared to 842 deaths in 2020 and 903 in 2021. Based on the HIV and COVID-19 surveillance match, there were 84 COVID-19 deaths in 2020 and 167 in 2021 among PWH. A higher percent of PWH who died of COVID-19 were 60 and older than all PWH (46.1% versus 18.8%). Additionally, a higher percent of PWH who died of COVID-19 were Black (74.5% versus 68.0%), female (31.9% versus 23.3%), and residents of central (districts 4, 5-1, 5-2, 6, 7, 10) and southern (districts 8-1, 8-2, 9-1, 9-2) Georgia, compared with all PWH (29.9% and 17.1% versus 18.0% and 11.9%, respectively). Residents of northern (districts 1-1, 1-2, 2) in contrast, accounted for a smaller proportion of deaths than all PWH (3.2% versus 5.0%).
Conclusion
The disproportionate impact among people with HIV who are older, Black, and residents of areas outside of metro Atlanta is mostly consistent with patterns in overall COVID-19 deaths in Georgia. COVID-19 vaccination remains an important protective measure that is recommended for all PWH.
