- Nightlife hotspot Ocean Drive has an annual rate of new HIV infections in the area that is more than four times the national average
- Experts have called on the state to increase its preventive measures, including testing, getting those infected treated and helping those at risk get preventive treatment.
Miami Beach's nightlife scene, Ocean Drive, has become an epicenter of HIV infections.
Luxury hotels and extravagant nightclubs draw thousands of people to Florida's 33139 zip code every year.
However, according to recently released 2021 data from AIDSvu, the annual rate of new HIV infections in the area is more than four times the national average. reports the Sun Sentinel.
Florida's HIV rates have continued to rise, with the state including six metropolitan areas with some of the highest rates of new infections in the U.S.: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville.
Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties also rank in the top five percent of U.S. counties for their high infection rates.
Miami Beach's nightlife scene, Ocean Drive, has become an epicenter of HIV infections
Experts say Florida must tackle the HIV epidemic using a three-pronged approach, including ramping up testing
Wilton Manors, Overtown and Doral also have high rates of new diagnoses.
“The situation does not appear to be improving,” said Dr. Mario Stevenson, an infectious disease specialist and HIV researcher at the University of Miami.
'The problem has become white noise. Many people come to the area to party hard and are unaware of the HIV risk.
“It's so important to get the message out so people know the risk,” he explained.
Stevenson warned that health messages are not doing enough to reach the Hispanic population.
“Some of the messages being spread around HIV awareness are not translating well,” he added.
“It's not culturally tailored to resonate with vulnerable communities of color.”
Experts say Florida must tackle the HIV epidemic using a three-pronged approach: Identify people who have it, get them into treatment and ensure people don't get infected but are at risk for preventive treatment.
“All three things have to be done at the same time to stop the epidemic,” said Dr. Marcus Conant, one of the nation's first specialists to treat AIDS patients in San Francisco.
Luxury hotels and extravagant nightclubs draw thousands of people to the Ocean Drive zip code every year
Florida has emphasized preventative measures such as PrEP, medications that, when taken by high-risk groups to prevent them from contracting HIV, can significantly reduce the risk of transmission.
A wealth of research has also developed in Florida due to the high rate of HIV infection.
Among them is the University of Miami's new mobile CONNECT unit, which goes to some zip codes in Miami-Dade and Broward counties with high HIV infection rates.
The goal is to involve more diverse groups of patients in studies, such as one that seeks to determine the impact of chronic conditions, including heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders, on people with HIV.
'By making research more accessible and inclusive, CONNECT will help ensure that the most vulnerable communities benefit from the latest scientific developments.' Dr. Maria Alacaide, a professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, told the Sun Sentinel.
Although HIV can be suppressed using antiretroviral therapy, it cannot yet be cured.
For now, people with HIV must take medications for the rest of their lives to keep virus levels suppressed. But clinical trials are underway across South Florida to investigate new treatments and potential vaccines.