This Saturday is the 22nd New York AIDS Walk. This year is also the 20th anniversary of AZT, the first drug approved to fight HIV. (In 1987, the cost of a year's supply of AZT was $10,000, making it one of the most expensive drugs ever sold.) But what is the current state of HIV/AIDS in New Hampshire? What resources are available for those with the disease? And, what books and online resources does the library have and recommend? Here is summary of my findings. You might be surprised by what you learn.

According to the March 2007 HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report issued by the NH Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Public Health Services, there are 434 persons living in the state with HIV, and 574 persons living with AIDS. More specifically, 46% of those living with HIV and 41% of those living with AIDS reside in Hillsborough County. Of those with HIV or AIDS, about 75% are White, 14% are Black and 11% are Hispanic. Approximately 44% are men who were exposed to the disease through sex with other men (MSM) while 18% of those living with the disease were exposed through heterosexual contact, and about 17% were exposed via injecting drug use (IJU).

Source: NH STD-HIV-AIDS Surveillance Report – 2002-2006

HIV/AIDS agencies and support organizations in New Hampshire
Southern New Hampshire HIV/AIDS Task Force, 12 Amherst Street Nashua, NH 03064
NH Department of Health and Human Services, HIV/AIDS information
HIV/AIDS Resources in New Hampshire (Project Inform)

Other Online Resources
HIV/AIDS among youth [electronic resource]. (Center for Disease Control)
HIV/AIDS in New Hampshire (AIDS Action) [PDF]

Recommended Library Books
AIDS in the twenty-first century : disease and globalization / Tony Barnett and Alan Whiteside. (2006)

The guide to living with HIV infection : developed at the Johns Hopkins AIDS Clinic / John G. Bartlett, Ann K. Finkbeiner. (2006)

Not in my family : AIDS in the African-American community / [edited by] Gil L. Robertson IV. (2006)