Maryland HIV Prevention Priorities

With input from five Regional Work Groups, the Maryland Community Planning Group (CPG) develops a set of statewide HIV prevention priorities. These priorities are based on evidence such as HIV and AIDS statistics, behavioral science, and input from affected communities. The CPG's Plan is used by the AIDS Administration in writing the state's application to the CDC for funding to support HIV prevention programs across the state.

The CPG approved Maryland 's HIV prevention priorities on April 7, 2005 by unanimous vote. The prevention priority populations are ranked as follows:

1. HIV Positive Persons
2. Heterosexuals (88% African American)*
3. Injection Drug Users (85% African American)*
4. Men Who Have Sex With Men (69% African American)*
5. Special Populations

*African American percentages were developed by averaging the percentages of clients within each transmission group (heterosexual, injection drug, MSM) who were African American during the three most recent years.

When aggregated, the HIV prevention projects targeting each risk group should serve mostly African Americans. Individual projects do not have to meet these racial goals (e.g., when client level data from all injection drug users (IDU) projects are added together, 85% of the IDU served should be African American IDU).

These priority populations reflect CDC requirements and the risks associated with new HIV infections in the state. Within all transmission categories, high risk persons (as defined by HIV prevalence or individual risk behaviors) are prioritized. Furthermore, within each risk group African Americans are emphasized, given the disproportionate impact of HIV in this group.