HIV/AIDS for Florida Healthcare Professionals
CONTACT HOURS: 1
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LEARNING OUTCOME AND OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, you will have increased your knowledge of HIV/AIDS in order to better care for your patients. Specific learning objectives to address potential knowledge gaps include:
- Discuss the incidence of HIV/AIDS in Florida.
- Outline the etiology and stages of HIV infection.
- Describe modes of transmission for HIV.
- Summarize Florida’s HIV testing-related requirements.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- HIV/AIDS Incidence
- Etiology and Stages of HIV Infection
- HIV Transmission
- HIV Testing
- Conclusion
- Resources
- References
HIV/AIDS INCIDENCE
As of 2021 in the United States and its six dependent areas, there were more than 1.2 million people living with HIV. In 2020, 30,635 people received an HIV diagnosis—a 17% decrease from the previous year—and there were 18,489 deaths attributable to any cause among adults and adolescents diagnosed with HIV. Among those who received an HIV diagnosis during 2020, more than 1 in 5 persons (21.6%) received a late-stage diagnosis (AIDS) (CDC, 2022a).
The World Population Review (2023) reported that as of 2023, Florida had 110,034 people living with HIV, the third highest number among the United States. Florida also had the highest number of new HIV diagnoses (3,408), which is a rate of 39.1 per 100,000 people.
The Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino populations experience higher rates of new HIV diagnoses. Florida’s Black population is the demographic group with the highest number of people living with HIV (49,943) and with the highest rate of late-stage HIV or AIDS. Racial and ethnic minorities also experience more barriers to accessing HIV prevention and care services. Stigma, fear of reporting test results, and limited HIV risk education make minorities more vulnerable to contracting the virus (FL DOH, 2023a).