New York: A Worrisome Trend on Long Island

According to a New York state health department report, the number of new AIDS cases on Long Island has decreased every year since 1995 (626) through 2004 (158). However, the report shows that the total number of Long Island HIV/AIDS cases has increased by 17 percent since 2002.

There were 4,407 people with HIV/AIDS in Long Island in June 2004, among them a disproportionate number of blacks and Hispanics. In 2004, just 9 percent of Long Island residents were black, though blacks accounted for 41 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS, data show. Hispanics comprise 12 percent of the region's population but 16 percent of HIV/AIDS cases on Long Island.

HIV/AIDS is growing quickly among youths, women, and men who have sex with men. In the six months leading up to June 2004, people ages 25-29 represented 18 percent of new HIV cases, compared to 12 percent among total cases. Women comprised 31 percent of AIDS cases, reflecting earlier infections, and 42 percent of HIV cases. Homosexual sex accounted for 30 percent of new HIV infections, compared to 26 percent of all cases.

Those with HIV/AIDS are disproportionately poor, said Jeffrey Reynolds, vice president for public affairs for the Long Island Association for AIDS Care, and Greg Noone, program manager for the Patchogue AIDS organization Thursday's Child. Many are struggling with living in poverty in the suburbs and with finding affordable housing and transportation, in addition to coping with HIV/AIDS, they said.

Local advocates worry that the numbers reflecting slower growth will translate to less federal Ryan White funding for the area. Already, proposals this year for reauthorizing the program seek to redistribute funds to states with newer epidemics. "New York hospitals and nonprofits stand to lose millions of dollars because of this," said Rob Recklaus, a spokesperson for Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY). "This will be a tough fight."

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