HIV rates are highest in the South

GEORGIA: HIV rates are highest in the South

The new Internet data map looks at HIV on a county-by-county basis and shows that infection rates tend to be highest in the South.

HIV infection rates are higher in African-American communities, and high minority populations in the South help explain the finding. While that's not surprising, the high rates seen throughout states like Georgia and South Carolina were, said Gary Puckrein, president of the National Minority Quality Forum, the nonprofit research organization that put the map together.

More than half the 48 counties with the highest rates of the AIDS-causing infection were in Georgia.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: State Supreme Court to rule on legality of electronic bingo

ARKANSAS: A look at the benefits of bioenergy crops

FLORIDA: 'Hometown Democracy' constitutional amendment to get statewide referendum

KENTUCKY: New Florida law should help shut down pill pipeline in Kentucky

LOUISIANA: State House passes records bill backed by Gov. Jindal

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour rejects Medicaid funding plan in $5 billion budget

NORTH CAROLINA: Lawmakers consider putting sales tax on everyday services

SOUTH CAROLINA: Gov. Sanford disappears for four days...on a hike

TENNESSEE: State on 'most improved' list for prescription e-filing

VIRGINIA: State to compete for high-speed rail funds

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