More than half of New York's residents know one or more people who have died of AIDS or are currently living with AIDS or HIV, according to a survey by the Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement. The disturbing findings are being used as a renewed call to action for the city's churches, community groups and government organizations to intensify public awareness efforts.
The survey, announced in conjunction with World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, found:
- Nearly half of New Yorkers believe there are no more than 100 people living with HIV in their area of the city. However, there are an average of 3,200 HIV-positive individuals in the neighborhoods surrounding each of the city's 41 major hospitals.
- Almost 50% of those surveyed correctly estimated that the epidemic is growing the fastest among the city's women.
- 35% correctly identified the city's black population as having the highest infection rate.
- 82% identified Manhattan, the Bronx or Brooklyn as the boroughs thought to have the fastest growing caseloads, though infections are increasing in all five boroughs.
The survey involved telephone interviews of 388 New York city residents.
(Harlem Congregation for Community Improvement, 800/541-2437)