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Health department, new testing provider and community groups flag rising HIV/STI cases and service gaps after local foundation closure
Summary
Public-health officials reported rising diagnoses and racial disparities in HIV and syphilis; the county health officer, a contracted testing provider and community organizations described testing work, recent positive cases among people experiencing homelessness, and persistent gaps left by the closure of the Pierce County AIDS Foundation.
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department leaders and community providers told the council on April 9 that Pierce County continues to see HIV and syphilis cases, notable racial disparities and service gaps after the local AIDS foundation closed.
Dr. Jay Miller, health officer for the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, said the county has seen a relatively stable number of newly diagnosed HIV cases in recent years but that preliminary 2024 data showed a rise in new diagnoses to 73 cases. Miller emphasized disparities in prevalence, saying case rates per 100,000 population are substantially higher in Pierce County’s Black or African American community and elevated for Hispanic and American Indian/Alaska Native residents as well.
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