Ending the HIV Epidemic in Atlanta: How Fulton County is Leading the Fight for Health Equity
Research for post done by Public Health Intern Nicole Previde
More than four decades after the first HIV cases were reported, the epidemic continues to impact communities across the United States. Atlanta, Georgia remains one of the hardest-hit regions. With the highest rate of new HIV diagnoses in the country, Georgia reported over 2,400 new cases in 2023, most concentrated in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
But amidst these numbers, there is hope and progress. Through the “Ending the HIV Epidemic” (EHE) initiative, the Fulton County HIV program is transforming the future of HIV prevention in Atlanta. integrating innovative HIV community outreach, equitable care, and advanced HIV treatment programs across Georgia, Fulton county’s Department for HIV Elimination is setting a national example of how data, compassion, and community can work together to save lives.
The Bigger Picture: A National Effort with Local Impact
Launched in 2019, the EHE initiative set an ambitious national goal: to reduce new HIV infections by 90% by 2030. The strategy focuses on four key pillars: to diagnose, treat, prevent, and respond; it also has a special focus on regions most affected by HIV.
In Georgia, Fulton County and the surrounding metro Atlanta area, including DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett Counties, were identified as critical priority zones because of their high transmission rates. To combat this challenge, the Fulton County HIV program has emerged as a national model for community-based HIV prevention in Atlanta. Through its Department for HIV Elimination, the county is combining data-driven strategies, HIV community outreach, and comprehensive HIV treatment programs across Georgia to create equitable access to care for every resident.
Fulton County’s Approach: Community First
In 2025, Fulton County received more than $5 million in new federal funding through the EHE initiative, bringing its total investment in HIV prevention and care to nearly $38 million. These resources power a holistic Fulton County HIV program designed to advance health equity and expand HIV prevention to Black and Latinx communities, men who have sex with men (MSM), women and transgender individuals.
The county’s Department for HIV Elimination (FCDHE) focuses on building trust and accessibility. Its community-first strategy includes:
- Extended service hours for individuals who can’t attend daytime appointments.
- Telehealth and remote care options for flexibility and convenience.
- Comprehensive wraparound services, including mental health care, housing support, food access, transportation, peer mentoring, and language translation.
This HIV community outreach approach recognizes that good health depends on more than medical treatment alone. By addressing both social and economic barriers, Fulton County’s HIV treatment programs in Georgia are ensuring that prevention, care, and support reach, no matter where they live or who they are.
Results that Matter
The results of Fulton County’s HIV program show how a community-centered approach can make measurable progress in Ending the HIV Epidemic across Atlanta and Georgia.
The impact speaks for itself:
- 5,300 clients received care in 2024.
- 33,000 total services delivered across medical, nutrition, housing, and peer programs.
- 99% of clients who attended a medical visit were prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART).
- 85% achieved viral suppression, meaning their viral load was undetectable, and they could not transmit HIV to others.
These numbers represent more than statistics, they reflect hope, health, and equity in action. Through effective HIV prevention in Atlanta, targeted outreach, and accessible treatment, Fulton County’s HIV community programs are setting a new national standard for HIV treatment in Georgia.
The Path Forward
While progress is clear, the fight to end the HIV epidemic in Atlanta and across Georgia is far from over. Many individuals still face barriers to HIV testing, treatment, and consistent care, often shaped by social, economic, and systemic inequities.
To continue advancing HIV prevention and treatment in Georgia, Fulton County’s Department for HIV Elimination is focusing on innovation, accessibility, and collaboration. The next phase of its HIV community outreach strategy includes:
- Expanding telehealth and home-testing programs to reach isolated and rural populations.
- Using real-time data tracking to identify and address care gaps quickly.
- Partnering with more community-based organizations that specialize in serving underserved populations.
- Investing in health literacy and peer education to empower residents to understand and manage their care.
The ultimate goal is universal viral suppression, ensuring that every person living with HIV in Fulton County and throughout Georgia has the trust, resources, and support to live a long, healthy, and fulfilling life.
A Healthier Atlanta, One Step at a Time
The Fulton County HIV program proves that Ending the HIV epidemic in Atlanta requires more than medicine, it takes compassion, community engagement, and a lasting commitment to health equity. Through data-driven policy, inclusive HIV community outreach, and accessible HIV treatment programs across Georgia, Fulton County is setting a national standard for how local leadership can transform public health.
Every milestone brings us closer to a future where HIV prevention in Atlanta is universal and stigma-free. But success depends on collective action, from local organizations, policymakers, and individuals like you.
Here’s how you can make an impact:
- Encourage regular HIV testing and open conversations about prevention.
- Support organizations that provide HIV education, outreach, and treatment.
- Advocate for continued funding for equitable healthcare programs in your community.
Together, we can create a Georgia where every person has the opportunity to live healthy, supported, and free from stigma. A future where ending the HIV epidemic is not only possible, but inevitable.
Resources:
“Atlanta/Department for HIV Elimination: EHE Innovations and Best Practices.” NASTAD. “Deeper Look: HIV Testing.” AIDSVu, 24 Sept. 2025, aidsvu.org/resources/deeper-look/hiv-testing/.
Fulton County to Receive Nearly $38m for Battle against HIV, 1 Aug. 2025, www.fox5atlanta.com/news/fulton-county-receive-nearly-38m-battle-against-hiv?
“HIV Elimination.” Fulton County Government, www.fultoncountyga.gov/inside-fulton-county/fulton-county-departments/hiv-elimination? Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
Piske, Micah, et al. “Ending the HIV Epidemic in Metropolitan Atlanta: A Mixed-Methods Study to Support the Local HIV/AIDS Response.” Wiley Online Library, Journal of the International AIDS Society, 22 July 2024, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jia2.26459.
“Providing a Coordinated Response to the HIV Epidemic in Metropolitan Atlanta.” Ending the HIV Epidemic Program, Fulton County Department for HIV Elimination, endhivatl.org/ending-the-hiv-epidemic-ehe-program/ Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
“What Are HIV and AIDS?” HIV.Gov, 17 Sept. 2025, www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/about-hiv-and-aids/what-are-hiv-and-aids.
“What Is Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S.?” HIV.Gov, 18 Sept. 2025, www.hiv.gov/federal-response/ending-the-hiv-epidemic/overview.
