More HIV patient cases in big cities

Annual Report German Aids Foundation: In cities, more HIV infections

08/10/2013

According to a survey by the German AIDS Foundation, the number of new HIV infections in major German cities is particularly high. Most new infected people exist in Cologne.

Metropolitan more affected
According to recent statistics, the inhabitants of large cities are most frequently affected by new HIV infections. The number of Germans living with the virus is generally increasing, as the chances of survival of those affected would improve. Last year, the cities of Berlin, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Cologne, Mannheim, Stuttgart and Wiesbaden received more than ten HIV primary diagnoses per 100,000 inhabitants. This was announced by the German Aids Foundation on Friday in Bonn at the presentation of its annual report 2012.

Fewer deaths thanks to therapeutic options
With 12.29 new infected per 100,000 inhabitants, the number is highest in Cologne. Stuttgart (12.23) and Hamburg (11.40) are slightly behind. In Munich and Essen it is just below 10. In Germany, there were only about 550 AIDS-related deaths in 2012, thanks to the good therapeutic options. The total number of people living with HIV in Germany continues to increase in the same period in view of 3,400 new infections.

Number of donations increased
According to the foundation, the numbers mentioned roughly reflect the geographical distribution of aid. In 2012, the revenue of the German Aids Foundation amounted to over 3.82 million euros, mainly from donations, grants and investment income. The revenues, which were also achieved through charity events, remained stable overall. Compared to the previous year, the number of donations has increased by 16 percent. On the expenditure side, aid, education and anti-discrimination work total 2.27 million euros. The foundation was able to slightly increase its benefits compared to the previous year (2.13 million euros).

Women and the unemployed rely on more help
Last year, the German Aids Foundation processed around 1,970 requests for help. A total of 2,233 HIV-positive or AIDS-ill people were supported by the granting of individual and project aid. It was said that the proportion of applications made by women was particularly high at 45 percent. According to the Robert Koch Institute, women make up only 19 percent of HIV-positive or AIDS-infected people. With 85 percent, the vast majority of applicants are not employable and depend on transfer payments.

Most auxiliary payments for North Rhine-Westphalia and Berlin
According to the foundation, most of the aid payments to North Rhine-Westphalia (33.5%) and Berlin (31.7%) flowed into Germany. It was followed by Bavaria, Hesse, Baden-Württemberg and Hamburg. The individual benefits were intended for housing security and medical care. The group and project aids, on the other hand, primarily promoted convalescent journeys by critically ill people, outpatient nursing care and work and qualification measures. Dr. Christoph Uleer and dr. Ulrich Heide from the board of the German AIDS Foundation explained: „Since many sick people are not provided with the basic health care for their specific problems with life, we have to help. Therefore, the foundation's support through private donations is still urgently needed. "

German AIDS Foundation
The German Aids Foundation is the largest AIDS relief organization in Germany. For the past 25 years, the organization has been helping people affected and providing material support. In Germany, the foundation supports projects such as assisted living. In addition, selected aid projects have been funded since 2000, such as for AIDS orphans, adolescents, mothers and their children, especially in southern Africa, such as the DREAM program in Mozambique and HOPE Cape Town in South Africa. (Ad)

Image: Marcel Rolfes