HIV in Atlanta: Key Stats, Local Impact, and Where to Get Help

HIV is a major public health issue in Atlanta, Georgia, and many people search for “HIV stats Atlanta” to understand the local picture, their own risk, and what resources are available. Below is an overview of how HIV affects Atlanta, what the numbers generally look like, and where you can turn for testing, prevention, and care in the city.

HIV in Atlanta: The Big Picture

Atlanta is often described as part of a high-impact area for HIV in the United States. The Atlanta metro area (including Fulton, DeKalb, and surrounding counties) has:

• Higher HIV prevalence than many other parts of Georgia and the country
• A concentration of new diagnoses in certain neighborhoods and communities
• Strong networks of public health agencies, clinics, and community organizations focused on testing, prevention, and treatment

For anyone living in or visiting Atlanta, this means:

• HIV is present in the community, including among people who may not know they are living with it.
• Testing, condoms, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), and treatment are widely available locally.

Understanding HIV Stats in Atlanta

When people talk about “HIV stats Atlanta,” they’re usually referring to a few main types of numbers:

1. How many people are living with HIV?

Public health reports consistently show that:

• Thousands of people are living with HIV in the Atlanta metro area.
• Fulton and DeKalb counties (where most of Atlanta is located) are among the highest-burden counties in Georgia.
• Many people are aware of their status and in care, but some have not yet been diagnosed or are not consistently engaged in treatment.

2. New HIV diagnoses in Atlanta

While exact counts can change from year to year, patterns in Atlanta commonly show:

• Ongoing new HIV diagnoses each year, especially among younger adults.
• Higher impact among Black and African American residents, particularly men who have sex with men.
• Continued need for early testing, rapid linkage to care, and preventive services like PrEP.

3. Who is most affected locally?

In Atlanta, HIV tends to affect some groups more heavily, including:

• Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men
• Black and African American communities
• Young adults, often in their 20s and 30s
• People with limited access to regular healthcare, stable housing, or insurance

Public health agencies in Atlanta focus many of their programs on these communities, while still emphasizing that anyone who is sexually active or shares injection equipment can be at risk.

How Atlanta Compares Within Georgia

Atlanta plays a central role in Georgia’s HIV picture:

• A large share of Georgia’s overall HIV cases are in the Atlanta metro area, especially Fulton and DeKalb counties.
• Many statewide HIV resources are physically located in Atlanta, including major clinics, nonprofit organizations, and health department programs.

For someone living in Atlanta, this means:

• You’re in an area with higher HIV numbers, but also with more services and specialized care options than many other parts of the state.

Key HIV Concepts in the Atlanta Context

Even while looking at stats, it helps to understand a few core ideas that shape HIV outcomes in Atlanta.

Viral suppression and “undetectable” status

Many people in Atlanta who are living with HIV are on treatment and have achieved viral suppression (often described as “undetectable”):

• Being undetectable means the amount of virus in the blood is so low that standard tests can’t pick it up.
• People who maintain an undetectable viral load do not transmit HIV through sex (often summarized as U = U, Undetectable = Untransmittable).

Local clinics and health departments in Atlanta focus heavily on:

• Helping newly diagnosed people get on treatment quickly
• Supporting ongoing care, medication access, and adherence

PrEP and PEP in Atlanta

In response to the local HIV statistics, many Atlanta providers now offer:

• PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis): Daily or long-acting medication that can greatly lower the risk of getting HIV for people who are HIV-negative and at higher risk.
• PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis): Emergency medication started within 72 hours after a possible exposure to HIV.

These options are increasingly available through:

• Public clinics
• Community health centers
• Some urgent care centers and hospitals

Where to Find HIV Testing and Services in Atlanta

If HIV statistics in Atlanta make you want to know your own status or explore prevention, there are several key local options.

Fulton County Board of Health – Atlanta Area

Primary role: Public health services for much of Atlanta, including HIV testing and prevention.

• Fulton County Board of Health – Clifton Springs Health Center
  4038 Old Milton Parkway (check current site listing; some Fulton services are spread across multiple clinics)
  Main phone (administration and info): 404-613-1205

Fulton County Board of Health regularly offers:

• Free or low-cost HIV testing
• Referrals for PrEP and other prevention services
• Linkage to HIV treatment and support services

Because specific testing hours and locations can change, it’s a good idea to call ahead or check for updated service information before visiting.

DeKalb County Board of Health

For parts of Atlanta that fall in DeKalb County or nearby:

• DeKalb County Board of Health – T.O. Vinson Health Center
  440 Winn Way
  Decatur, GA 30030
  Main phone: 404-294-3700

Services frequently include:

• HIV and STI testing
• Partner services and prevention counseling
• Referrals for HIV treatment and PrEP

Georgia Department of Public Health – Statewide Programs Centered in Atlanta

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), headquartered in Atlanta, oversees statewide HIV programs and funds many local services:

• Georgia Department of Public Health – HIV Prevention / Care
  2 Peachtree Street NW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main phone: 404-657-2700

From Atlanta, you can use DPH resources to:

• Find local HIV testing sites
• Learn about Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program services (for eligible people with HIV who need help with medical care and support)
• Get information on medication assistance programs

Community-Based and Hospital-Affiliated Services

In addition to government health departments, Atlanta has a number of community organizations and medical centers that are well-known for HIV care and prevention. These often provide:

• Routine and rapid HIV testing
• On-site medical care for people living with HIV
• Case management, mental health support, and social services
• Support groups and education programs

If you live in Atlanta, you can usually find nearby services by:

• Calling your county health department
• Asking your primary care provider for an HIV testing or PrEP referral
• Checking with large hospital systems in the city (many have infectious disease or HIV specialty clinics)

Quick Reference: HIV and Atlanta – What to Know

Below is a simple summary to help you quickly understand the Atlanta HIV landscape.

How Local HIV Stats Affect Everyday Decisions

For someone living, studying, or working in Atlanta, the HIV statistics translate into some practical takeaways:

• Regular testing is important.
  Anyone who is sexually active—especially with new or multiple partners—can benefit from routine HIV testing. Many Atlanta residents choose to test at least once a year, and more often if they have higher risk.

• Conversations with partners matter.
  Because HIV is more common in some Atlanta networks, people often find it helpful to discuss testing history, PrEP use, and condom use with partners.

• Treatment works and is available.
  If you test positive in Atlanta, you’re in a city with established HIV clinics and a long history of HIV care, including options for people without insurance or with limited income.

• Prevention is strongly supported locally.
  Public health and community organizations in Atlanta actively promote PrEP, condoms, and harm reduction services because they know how much they can shift local HIV statistics over time.

If You Want to Act on This Information

If HIV stats in Atlanta have you thinking about your own health:

1. Schedule an HIV test

   • Contact Fulton County Board of Health (404-613-1205) if you’re in Fulton County.
   • Contact DeKalb County Board of Health (404-294-3700) if you live or spend more time in DeKalb.
   • You can also ask your regular doctor or a local clinic about confidential testing.

2. Ask about PrEP or PEP if you think you’re at higher risk

   • Many Atlanta clinics and providers can discuss whether PrEP is a good fit for you.
   • For possible recent exposure, ask about PEP immediately—it’s time-sensitive.

3. If you’re living with HIV, connect to or stay in care

   • Let a clinic or health department know you want to start or re-engage in care.
   • Ask about case management, mental health, transportation help, or medication assistance if you need support.

Understanding HIV statistics in Atlanta is ultimately about understanding your local environment and your options. The numbers show that HIV is a serious but treatable and preventable condition in the city—backed by a wide network of services designed to help Atlanta residents stay informed, get tested, and get care when needed.