Map 1: Number of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS in
Philadelphia by Census Tracts and Neighborhoods
The strongest and most significant predictors of people
living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) rates in Philadelphia (in order of significance)
are:
1.
Neighborhood instability (areas with high
numbers of demolished buildings or vacant properties, or with homes with
discontinued water service)
2.
Crime rates related to drugs and/or sex;
3.
Socio-economic status (SES); and
4.
Personal crime rate (robberies and aggravated
assaults)
Based on our analysis,
high risk census tracts in Philadelphia are, therefore, predominately unstable,
high crime, and low socio-economic status (SES) areas of the city. Sixty-six census tracts in Philadelphia, or
17% of all tracts, are identified as high risk and high PLWHA areas, and ten
census tracts are identified as very high risk with correspondingly high PLWHA
rates.
The neighborhood
which contains the highest number of these tracts, and so is considered at the
highest risk in the City, is Sharswood-Stanton in Lower North Philadelphia. This is followed by Millcreek-Parkside, Strawberry Mansion, Poplar-Temple, Nicetown-Tioga
and Hunting Park-Fairhill.
There are, however, a number of census tracts that do not
follow the general patterns found; some
areas may have low rates of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) while they
appear to be areas of high risk, while others may have high PLWHA rates in
otherwise fairly low risk areas of the city. Areas with high PLWHA and low risk are usually
characterized by middle to upper-level socio-economic status with fewer Black
residents, lower crime and relatively stable census tracts. Most of these areas are near, or in, Center City
Areas with low rates
of PLWHA but very high risk indicators include areas within
Paschall-Kingsessing, Upper-Kensington and Haddington-Overbrook neighborhoods. These
tracts have very high risk levels, but lower PLWHA rates than other tracts with
the same risk levels. This analysis
could not determine any neighborhood-level protective factors that contributed
to lower rates of PLWHA but perhaps future research might provide some insight.
So what do you
think?
Why do you think the map looks like it does? Why is HIV concentrated in high risk
communities? Why is Center City unusual,
in that there are high rates of people living with HIV/AIDS but the census
tracts are considered ‘low risk’? Does
the map match your experiences or observations?
We want to hear from you.
Share your knowledge and experiences to give context and meaning to this
map.
