Free New York Area Resources – NBC New York (47)

NEW YORK – On World AIDS Day, December 1, the New York City Department of Health released a statement the report on new infections for HIV.

According to the report, 1,594 people in the Big Apple were diagnosed with HIV in 2021, up 14% from 2020 but down 23% from 2017 and down 73% from 2001. While the annual increase of new HIV diagnoses is atypical, the increase in new diagnoses from 2020 to 2021 reflects an increase after the sharp decline during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when HIV testing services were less accessible and available to new yorkers. When comparing new diagnoses in 2021 and 2019 before COVID-19, the rate of decline was consistent with what was observed in the five years before the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘New HIV diagnoses continue to decline and we are also seeing an increase in HIV testing and the search for treatment,’ said Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “These two findings are a testament to the recent and historic public health advocacy that has never given up on the fight for better services and support. World AIDS Day is an important time to recognize what has been gained, remember what has been lost and commit to ending the epidemic once and for all.”

There were increases in new HIV diagnoses in New York City from 2020 to 2021 among men, women, and transgender people; Black, Latino/Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Native American; all age groups from 20 years and older; and almost all streaming categories.

As described above, these increases are rebounds from the artificially low number of new HIV diagnoses in 2020.

In addition to tracking new HIV diagnoses in the city, the Department of Health estimates the number of new HIV infections each year, a key metric for ending the epidemic. Estimated incident HIV infections decreased by 25% from 2017 to 2021, with men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexual men experiencing particularly steep declines of 25% and 29%, respectively.

While these data demonstrate major progress in ending the epidemic, inequalities persist in many communities. Of all women newly diagnosed with HIV in 2021, 88% were Black or Latino/Hispanic and of all newly diagnosed men, 80% were Black or Latino/Hispanic. Of all men newly diagnosed with HIV in 2021, 60% were MSM; of all new diagnoses among MSM, 80% were among Black or Latino MSM. And nearly half of New Yorkers newly diagnosed with HIV in 2021 lived in high- or ultra-poverty neighborhoods. Differences in the distribution of new HIV diagnoses across racial and ethnic groups and other categories are influenced by long-term structural racism and discrimination.

In 2021, 79 percent of all people with HIV in New York City were virally suppressed, meaning they had undetectable viral loads at the last calendar year viral load measurement, up from 78 percent in 2020. people with HIV who are on treatment and maintain an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV through sex. In 2021, 87 percent of all people living with HIV in New York City receiving HIV medical care were virally suppressed, up from 85 percent in 2017.

“On World AIDS Day, we reaffirm our strong commitment to supporting New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS and honor those we have lost to the epidemic,” said City Council spokeswoman Adrienne Adams . “The 2021 Annual HIV Surveillance Report shows that the city has made significant progress in our efforts to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic, but there is still much work to be done.”

NEW JERSEY

Across the river in New Jersey, second the latest Department reporto Health, more than 38,000 state residents have HIV or AIDS. “We continue to make progress in reducing HIV infection and continue to work towards the goals set out in New Jersey’s strategic plan,” said Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli. “Getting tested for HIV is crucial to protecting your health.”

“A Strategic Plan to End the HIV Epidemic in New Jersey by 2025” was developed by the New Jersey Task Force to End the HIV Epidemic and announced in 2021. The task force is made up of community and clinical service providers, advocates, educators, researchers, members of HIV planning groups/ AIDS, people living with HIV/AIDS, and State Department of Health personnel.

In New Jersey, nearly 80 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS are age 40 or older, and people of color account for 77 percent of adult/adolescent HIV/AIDS cases reported to the state and 80 percent of all people living with HIV. In addition, 31% of people living with HIV/AIDS are women and 32% of women living with HIV are currently aged between 20 and 49.

FREE RESOURCES AND SERVICES

New York

• Services at sexual health clinics in New York City: Among these are the Fort Greene Express Clinic and Corona Sexual Health Clinic, which offer HIV PrEP continuing care services. New York City Sexual Health Clinics and Sexual Health Hotline offer free or low-cost services for STDs, including HIV. Anyone over the age of 12 can receive services, regardless of immigration status. Parental consent is not required. The Sexual Health Clinic hotline can be found at 347-396-7959, Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 3:30pm For more information on the sexual health hotline and clinics, including services, locations and hours of operation, please visit nyc.gov/health/clinics.
• health map from New York City: It’s a tool qwhich helps people find services in New York for HIV test, HIV services for people living with HIV/AIDS and New York condoms.
• HIV testing: An HIV test is the only way to know if you or your partner has HIV. You can find free or low-cost HIV testing locations near you:
  • Visit a sexual health clinic of New York City, where anyone over the age of 12 can take a confidential and anonymous test. This is regardless of your immigration status.
  • Text the word “TESTNYC” to 877-877
• HIV treatment: HIV care and support services are available to all New Yorkers living with HIV, regardless of economic ability or immigration status. To find a supplier near you, visit NYC health map or send a text message with the word “CUIDATE” or TREATMENT at 877-877.
• On her side, him HIV center for young adults, adolescents and children specializes in healthcare for all patients under the age of 30, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity. The expert team focuses on the prevention and treatment of HIV and empowers patients to lead a healthy sex life. Do you have questions or want to make an appointment? Call to (516) 622-5187 or email [email protected].
• The love of God we offer: The team of The love of God we offer prepares and delivers high quality, nutritious meals to people who, due to illness, are unable to provide or prepare their own meals. They also provide disease-specific nutrition education and counseling to clients, families, health care professionals, and other service organizations. Your immigration status doesn’t matter. Here the information.

For more information about assistance in New York City, go here.

For New York State resources go here.

New Jersey

• HIV testing: Healthcare providers should offer HIV testing as part of routine medical care. Several test classes and sites can be found on www.nj.gov/health/hivstdtb/hiv-aids/getting-tested or by asking your primary doctor. Many of the HIV testing centers work closely with the state Department of Health.
• Free medicines for people living with HIV/AIDS: The AIDS Drug Distribution Program provides life-sustaining and life-prolonging drugs to low-income individuals who have no other source of payment for these drugs. For more information go here.

For more information on aid in New Jersey, go here.

Connecticut

• For a complete list of places offering services by area in the state of Connecticut Click here.