HEALTH Predicts 15 More HIV Cases Diagnosed in RI in 2014 than 2013
Monday, December 01, 2014
In observance of World AIDS Day (December 1), the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) encourages all Rhode Islanders ages 13-64 to learn their status and get tested for HIV.
HEALTH estimates that in Rhode Island, 400 people do not know they have been infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) - and predicts that there will be 15 more newly diagnosed HIV cases in the state this year than last.
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"It is a cause for concern that the number of newly-diagnosed HIV cases in Rhode Island for 2014 is projected to be at least 15 cases more than in 2013,” said Director of Health Michael Fine, MD. “Getting tested to know your status protects you and those closest to you. All teens and adults should speak with their doctor about getting tested for HIV and other sexually-transmitted diseases during their regular check-ups. People who have multiple sexual partners should be tested regularly, perhaps as often as monthly."
Rhode Islanders who do not have a primary care doctor, who lack insurance, or who are concerned about out-of-pocket costs for testing can take advantage of free or low-cost HIV testing offered through HEALTH's year-round partnerships with AIDS Care Ocean State, AIDS Project Rhode Island, and MAP Behavioral Health Services. These community-based agencies also offer testing for Hepatitis C
Visit HEALTH’s site for HIV and STD testing locations in RI. For more information, go to JustGetTestedRI.com
Related Slideshow: New England’s Healthiest States 2013
The United Health Foundation recently released its 2013 annual reoprt: America's Health Rankings, which provides a comparative state by state analysis of several health measures to provide a comprehensive perspective of our nation's health issues. See how the New England states rank in the slides below.
Definitions
All Outcomes Rank: Outcomes represent what has already occurred, either through death, disease or missed days due to illness. In America's Health Rankings, outcomes include prevalence of diabetes, number of poor mental or physical health days in last 30 days, health disparity, infant mortality rate, cardiovascular death rate, cancer death rate and premature death. Outcomes account for 25% of the final ranking.
Determinants Rank: Determinants represent those actions that can affect the future health of the population. For clarity, determinants are divided into four groups: Behaviors, Community and Environment, Public and Health Policies, and Clinical Care. These four groups of measures influence the health outcomes of the population in a state, and improving these inputs will improve outcomes over time. Most measures are actually a combination of activities in all four groups.
Diabetes Rank: Based on percent of adults who responded yes to the question "Have you ever been told by a doctor that you have diabetes?" Does not include pre-diabetes or diabetes during pregnancy.
Smoking Rank: Based on percentage of adults who are current smokers (self-report smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoke).
Obesity Rank: Based on percentage of adults who are obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 or higher.
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