Although Washington, D.C., has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the country, the District has mismanaged and understaffed its response to the local AIDS crisis, according to a report released in August by the D.C. Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. The report cites a high-level official who concludes that the district 'is in some respects 10 to 15 years behind where it should be in mounting a concerted, effective response.' Four main problem areas were identified:
' A lack of systematically collecting and analyzing data related to the epidemic;
' Poor coordination and supervision of agencies providing HIV care in the district;
' Inadequate programs for several demographic groups, including young people, injection drug users, and prisoners; and
' Inadequate HIV prevention outreach.
The report includes dozens of recommendations to improve the district's AIDS response, including developing a centralized application process for all city AIDS services, expanded condom distribution programs, and a push for HIV antibody testing by district health care providers.
D.C. mayor Anthony Williams says he agrees with the report's findings and will lead a city task force charged with improving district AIDS services.
