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Households |
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While a large percentage of AIDS cases in Somerset County are due to injection drug use and heterosexual contact, 30.32% is a result of MSM (Table 5). Aware of this statistic, one would predict there to be a correlation between AIDS rate and the percent of households in which unmarried partners live. It is reasonable to assume that there would be a strong correlation between unmarried male partners and AIDS rate, for one would guess that the males living together are homosexual. Calculations ultimately reveal a weak correlation (Chart 12).
Also, there appears to be a high percentage of unmarried male-male households in Plainfield; this suggests there may be more homosexuals living Plainfield, which helps to explain its high AIDS rate of 2268 (Chart 12). More calculations reveal stronger correlations between AIDS rates and unmarried partner households (Chart 10) as well as unmarried male-female households (Chart 11).
It is difficult to rely on these results because the actual percent of unmarried households is extremely low. Ultimately, however, these graphs prove that unmarried partner households correlate with high AIDS rates.
Correlation analysis is significant, for it reveals what demographics in the county subdivisions directly relate to the cumulative AIDS rate. It is important to note, however, that correlation does not imply causation. Ultimately, the calculated and analyzed correlations show what demographic groups have the biggest struggle and need the most help fighting AIDS. With this information, one can take the next step and formulate solutions to protect and help the high risk groups fight the deadly disease, AIDS. |
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INTRO RACE INCOME EDUCATION HOUSEHOLD
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