INCOME AND AIDS RATES IN LOS-ANGELES-COUNTY

Objective: To examine the relationship between income and AIDS rates i n Los Angeles County (LAG) by race/ethnicity. Methods: 1990 US census data were used to classify LAC postal zones (zip codes) by median hous ehold income into low-, middle-, and high-income strata. AIDS rates we re calculated for each income stratum based on 15 805 AIDS cases diagn osed from 1987 through 1992 and reported to the county health departme nt. Results: The AIDS rate was highest among residents of low-income a reas (252.8 per 100 000), intermediate among residents of middle-incom e areas (161.2 per 100 000), and lowest among residents of high-income areas (82.0 per 100 000). This trend in rates was present in all raci al/ethnic groups examined and was most pronounced among whites (675.1, 226.7, and 88.4 per 100 000, respectively). Residents of low-income a reas accounted for 78% of AIDS cases among blacks, 67% among Hispanics , and 47% among whites. Conclusions: These findings suggest a strong i nverse relationship between income and AIDS rates in LAC that is consi stent across racial/ethnic groups. Prevention programs and treatment s ervices should be directed most intensively to low-income neighborhood s in this county.