HIV is surging again in Memphis and across Shelby County, and teenagers are getting hit especially hard. Public health officials say the spike is straining already thin prevention programs and putting low-income neighborhoods squarely in the crosshairs.
According to WREG, the Shelby County Health Department reports that Memphis and Shelby County now have an HIV incidence rate roughly three times the national average. For 15- to 19-year-olds, the case rate is about four times the national average, and residents in the poorest ZIP codes are seeing average incidence rates around eleven times higher than those in the wealthiest parts of the county.
Testing and treatment options
The Shelby County Health Department offers several low-barrier ways to find out your status. Residents can request free in-home HIV self-test kits, which are mailed in unmarked packaging, through 901hivtesting.com. Walk-in testing is also available at county clinics and community events.
The health department lists its Sexual Health Clinic at 814 Jefferson Avenue and a second testing site at 1826 Sycamore View Road, along with partner locations across Shelby County for those who prefer an in-person visit.
Trends and funding pressures
State data show this is not a one-year blip. The Tennessee Department of Health has recorded roughly a 36% rise in HIV rates in Shelby County since 2018, with particularly steep increases among teens and young adults, according to Action News 5…