HIV/AIDS in New York City

New York City was affected by the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s more than any other U.S. city.[1]: 16–17  The AIDS epidemic has been and continues to be highly localized due to a number of complex socio-cultural factors that affect the interaction of the populous communities that inhabit New York.

During the 1980s epidemic, the large presence of the gay community prompted local medical practitioners to take note of and respond to observed patterns of reported ailments early on. Widespread fear and panic about the epidemic were combatted by efforts of community activists and local government policies that were at some times supportive, and at other times damaging or ineffectual.

Improvements of both drug therapies and prevention education have led to a decreased number of AIDS cases.[1]: 16  In June, 2014, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a new strategy designed to "End the Epidemic" in the state through a combination of increased HIV screening and testing, promotion of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and improved linkage and retention in clinical care for HIV-positive persons.[2] Two years later the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene reported a decline in new infections of nearly 8 percent annually or approximately 15% since the campaign was launched.[3]

  1. ^ a b Musto, David F.; Epstein, Anne (2010). "AIDS: acquired immune deficiency syndrome". In Jackson, Kenneth T.; New York Historical Society (eds.). The Encyclopedia of New York City (2nd ed.). New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-18257-6. OCLC 842264684.
  2. ^ "About". Ending the Epidemic. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  3. ^ "pr093-17". www1.nyc.gov. Archived from the original on 2017-11-29. Retrieved 2017-11-30.