GetTested.com Maps Out 'America's Riskiest Places for HIV'

From the vindication of "Patient Zero" to the discovery of an antibody that neutralizes 98 percent of HIV strains, 2016 ushered in significant breakthroughs in HIV research. HIV has reached every corner of the country and continues to affect 1.2 million Americans. Using publicly available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a new map shows where the risk of becoming infected with HIV is greatest in the United States.�

GetTested.com, an at-home STD testing startup, is releasing "America's Riskiest Places." Using different color designations, the map shows the varying degrees of lifetime risk of HIV infection in each state. Although only a third of the population reside in the region, 44 percent of Americans diagnosed with HIV live in the South. The map outlines this area as the riskiest for HIV infection.�

Nine of 10 cities with the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses are in the South, with Baton Rouge, Miami and New Orleans topping the list. GetTested.com included cities with a population of 50,000 people or more, infection rates reflect per 100,000 population, and include data from surrounding counties.�

The Top 10 Riskiest Cities for HIV

(Rank - City - New Diagnoses per 100,000)�
1. Baton Rouge, LA - 44.7
2. Miami - 42.8
3. New Orleans - 36.9
4. Jackson, MS - 32.2
5. Orlando, FL - 28.8
6. Memphis, TN - 27.6
7. Atlanta - 25.9
8. Columbia, SC - 25.6
9. Jacksonville, FL -25.1
10. Baltimore - 24.3�

"Testing is a vital step to stemming the spread of HIV in our country. Approximately 1 in 8 of those infected with HIV don't know, causing them to spread the virus unknowingly to their partners,"�said Hannah Dela Cruz, spokesperson for GetTested.com. "All sexually active individuals should take charge of their health by testing regularly and talking to their partners about screening."�

Launched in September 2016, GetTested.com is a new service that delivers at-home STD test kits nationwide. GetTested.com makes screening for seven of the most common STDs easy and convenient, eliminating uncertainty and allowing individuals to take charge of their sexual health. Kits can be ordered online for a flat rate of $199, and are delivered in discreet, unmarked packaging. Samples can be collected within 15 minutes and mailed directly to a CLIA certified and CAP accredited laboratory for testing. Diagnoses are delivered electronically within three to five days and are accessible through a HIPAA-compliant portal.�