Last Friday, I spent most of my day learning about AIDS in the rural counties of Southwestern PA. Is there HIV/AIDS in rural counties? Here? Yes, and the risk factors are not exactly what we would think they are.

(Photo: Stewart Fisk, Coordinator of the Positive Health Clinic, Allegheny General Hospital, and Judy Sylvester, Planning Director, SWPAPC)

The session, presented by the Southwestern Pennsylvania AIDS Planning Coalition, was kicked off with straight talk by Stuart Fisk, CRNP, who has been serving HIV/AIDS and substance abuse communities since graduating from nursing school.

SWPAPC was the first AIDS Planning Coalition formed in Pennsylvania and it serves 11 counties, of which Armstrong is one. Allegheny County has the highest incidence HIV/AIDS population in our region (the regional total = 2773 cases), with Armstrong County having the lowest (with only 25 cases–6 living HIV cases, and 19 living AIDS cases).

Although the highest risk for infection remains among the traditional populations (men having sex with men and IV drug users), a few facts were news to me:
–Alcohol is the drug that is the largest contributor to substance-use HIV transmission (because it contributes to high risk sexual behavior), and
–Heterosexual contact is the fastest-rising risk factor, particularly in rural areas (according to the CDC, women and girls account for 27% of new cases).

Is this a major problem for Armstrong County as a whole? Not in terms of percentage of people infected, but it is a huge issue for service and medical providers, the consumers themselves, and their families and friends.

SWPAPC membership is open to individuals regardless of agency affiliation; it is “a regional network of individuals and organizations committed to meeting the needs of people affected by HIV disease and preventing further spread of the epidemic.” SWPAPC does have one representative from Armstrong County (I asked), but anyone with an interest is welcome to apply (a membership application is available on the website.)