AIDS in Riverside County: Racial/Ethnic Differences in Reporting Source and Disease Progression

While the majority of AIDS cases living in Riverside County are white men who have sex with men (MSM), rates of infection are highest among African-American residents. This presentation explores whether there are racial/ethnic differences in AIDS case reporting in Riverside County. Further, potential racial/ethnic differences in progression to AIDS diagnosis among people infected with HIV are examined. First examined was reporting source among all AIDS cases reported in Riverside County. Next, data on progression to AIDS from first positive HIV test among racial/ethnic groups were examined to determine whether there truly were no differences in progression time, given differences seen in AIDS incidence among racial/ethnic groups in Riverside County. We found racial/ethnic differences related to whether an AIDS diagnosis was reported by a private physician or a hospital. A greater percentage of black and Hispanic AIDS case reports were received from hospital sources (inpatient or emergency room records) as compared to white AIDS case reports. People of color in Riverside County were 4 times more likely to be reported as having AIDS by a hospital rather than by a private physician (p<0.001). Results demonstrated significantly shorter progression time for black and Hispanic persons infected with HIV as compared to whites with HIV. Findings suggest the need for closer examination of HIV testing data to identify whether communities of color are being tested and diagnosed at lower than expected rates. Further examination of testing data may yield information to assist in creation of targeted outreach programs.