Map visualizes HIV/AIDS in Chicago’s neighborhoods

ChicagoPhoenix 

AIDSVu has been mapping the prevalence of HIV/AIDS across the country. This past week, the project unveiled an interactive map that shows where HIV/AIDS is affecting the most people—down to the neighborhood.

“By creating [an] interactive map based on Chicago community areas, AIDSVu allows Chicagoans to more meaningfully visualize the characteristics of the HIV epidemic and who is most affected,” said Dr. Bechara Choucair, M.D., Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. “The map will allow us to explore social determinants of HIV like poverty and education. This new view will help researchers and community organizations optimize HIV prevention and efforts.”

The map is a project of the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. Based on their collected data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health departments, a user can visualize the city’s HIV/AIDS epidemic in terms of sex, race and ethnicity, age range. That same user can also see the data by ZIP code and census tract.

For example, the map can take a user down to the 60657 ZIP code—within which the Boystown and Lakeview East neighborhoods are a part—and learn that 2,138 of every 100,000 people were living with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis in 2011. In comparison, 60660—within which the Edgewater Beach enclave is a part—has a much larger number at 2,656 of every 100,000 people.

Another color-coded map can be laid on top of these neighborhoods to show levels of poverty. For example, 60657 had 11.2% living in poverty in 2011 versus 60660, which had 20.2% living in poverty. [MORE]