More Than Our Share: The Unchecked HIV/AIDS Crisis in Mississippi

Presenter Information

Susan Hrostowski, The University of Southern MississippiFollow

Abstract

This presentation describes the unmet needs of people living with HIV/AIDS in the rural south (specifically Mississippi) in light of the inequity in the distribution of federal funds to rural states. Participants will understand the the reciprocal influences of these needs and HIV as well as the need for policy changes at the state and federal levels.

Proposal Summary

While the population of the southern United States is only 37% of the country’s total, this region is experiencing 50% of new HIV diagnoses and 46% of new AIDS diagnoses. Specifically, Mississippi has the highest rates of new infection, the most AIDS deaths, the greatest number of people living with HIV/AIDS, and the fewest resources. Mississippi has the highest death rate in the country: 32.9 per 1,000. A Mississippian with HIV/AIDS is almost twice as likely to die as the average American with the virus (SHARP Report, 2010). Compounding the problem are government policy issues, such as disproportionate program funding; socio-economic issues, such as widespread poverty, housing insecurity, and the lack of access to care; and cultural issues, such as homophobia and social stigma. These factors are reflected in this study which examines the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS in a southern, rural county of Mississippi. From a representative sample of 285 HIV positive individuals, researchers identified the levels of need for housing, transportation, medical care, mental health care, substance abuse treatment, and education. The author discusses the reciprocal influences of these needs and HIV, the need for policy changes at the state and federal levels, and the need for resources that both support people living with HIV/AIDS and curb the rate of new infections. At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to: 1. Describe how the funding logic of state and federal agencies is incongruous with the needs of the rural south 2. List needs of people with HIV/AIDS in the rural south that may differ from those of people other areas of the country 3. Advocate for changes in state and federal HIV/AIDS policy

Relevance And Significance

This presentation will address several of the topics above, but focuses especially on "Access, retention, and care in rural communities" and "Strategies for working with community leaders and policy makers." The results of a needs assessment performed by the presenter include the most common barriers to access to care and retention. The presenter will provided some suggestions for overcoming those barriers through policy advocacy.

Session Format

Presentation Session

Keywords

HIV/AIDS, Rural health, Needs assessment, Policy analysis, Policy advocacy

Location

Room 217

Publication Type and Release Option

Presentation (Open Access)

Recommended Citation

Hrostowski, Susan, "More Than Our Share: The Unchecked HIV/AIDS Crisis in Mississippi" (2014). 9th Annual Rural HIV Research and Training Conference (2014-2019). 10.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/ruralhiv/2014/2014/10