Median Income Level

            It is evident that the zip code 13202 (an area located on one side of Route 81) has had the highest amount of cumulative AIDS cases diagnosed there (Table 1 ).  However, this only means that patients were diagnosed with AIDS there, and that it is entirely possible that that patient has left the area. Regardless of that fact, there are still factors that need to be considered concerning that area that could have contributed to the high rate.  Correlating the cumulative AIDS rate (cases diagnosed through December 31, 2006) with the median income level of each zip code provided a correlation coefficient of -.76. This number strongly indicates that there is a negative correlation between median income and cumulative AIDS rate. As the median income increases, the cumulative AIDS rate decreases (Table 3). It is notable that zip code 13202, also happens to be the area with the lowest median income level (Table 2). On the other end of the spectrum, the zip code 13215 (Syracuse-Onon Hill), which happens to have the lowest cumulative AIDS rate, is in the higher range of incomes (Tables 1+2). Obviously, economic status plays a large role in determining which areas have a higher concentration of AIDS cases.

Race

            Race has a heavy influence on an area’s AIDS rate. Blacks and Hispanics generally have higher cumulative AIDS rates than Whites (Table 4). By correlating the percentages of race in each area with the cumulative AIDS rates, the trend becomes evident. The White race has a coefficient of -.8, which differs greatly from that of the Blacks, .8, and Hispanics, .92 (Table 5). 

It’s important to note that in calculating the Hispanic correlation coefficient, the zip code 13204 and its cumulative AIDS rate (624.21) was omitted on the basis that it was an outlier. Eliminating this data point resulted in the Hispanic coefficient rising from the .8 range to .92 (Table 6-8). This point was considered an outlier due to its straying far from the trend. Another correlation was done in an attempt to determine the reason for the stray point. Correlating the housing units that were rented in each zip code and cumulative AIDS rate produced a coefficient of .8 (Table 9). It’s much less expensive to rent living quarters than it is to buy one (Table 10). For this exact reason, it makes sense that these areas with higher renting are also on the lower end of the economic spectrum (Table 11).

To return back to the topic of race, Whites are the only race with a negative correlation signifying that the higher the White population, the lower the rate of AIDS. It is the exact opposite for Hispanics and Blacks (Table 12). A correlation between Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics enrolled in grades 9-12 and cumulative AIDS rates shows that there is a strong negative correlation only for whites (Table 13). For the white population, as enrollment in high school increases, the AIDS rate decreases. For Blacks and Hispanics, high school education does not seem to be a factor. 

Poverty Status

            When determining one’s poverty status one “compares the person’s total family income with the poverty threshold appropriate for that person’s family size and composition” (1). Therefore, the poverty line is completely dependent on the family size (Table 14). Because the number of people in a household of every zip code can not be determined, $35,000 will be the standard line for poverty. This figure is where the poverty line for families of nine or more is drawn.

            A correlation between cumulative AIDS rate and the percentage of people in Onondaga County living beneath the poverty line produces a correlation coefficient of .88 (Table 15). It appears there is a strong relationship between living beneath the poverty line and the AIDS rate of an area (Table 16). It is also evident that the areas with the largest number of “poverty status” people correspond with the areas with the largest cumulative AIDS rate (Table 17B).

Hispanic Perspective

            An analysis of possible factors affecting the AIDS rate in Onondaga County has led to correlations concerning education, housing, income level, and poverty status. However, to gain insight into the Hispanic perspective, these correlations must be related to the Hispanic race.

Poverty Level

            Poverty level is again examined to determine how influential it is within the Hispanic population. Correlating poverty levels in the Hispanic population with cumulative AIDS rate, there is coefficient of .648 (Table 18). A scatter plot of this data exemplifies this relationship (Table 19). An examination was also done with the black population and ultimately resulted in very similar results (Table 20 and 21). This data reinforces the fact that Hispanics and Blacks share similar trends, despite the difference in population. 

Language

            It would seem that the Hispanic population has many parallels to the Black population if one were to look at all the provided data thus far. However, one vital difference is the culture. This culture is what provides the foundation for the next correlation: language. The language barrier is an obstacle evident in the Hispanic culture yet not the Black culture. A correlation of native people who speak Spanish and English (“Not so well”) provides a weak but evident positive relationship of .387 (Table 22 and 23). This correlation however, is all that is needed to provide one fundamental difference between the two races. The inability to speak fluent English adds communication issues that could prohibit understanding. This may all inadvertently lead to the rivaling AIDS rates between Blacks and Hispanics in Onondaga County.

Presumed Living HIV Cases

            The data has thus far revolved around cumulative AIDS rate. However, those rates are a reflection of the spreading of AIDS since 1980. To gain a better picture of what the future lies, the need for current cases arises. By examining presumed living with HIV cases, one can see where and who is being affected by the AIDS epidemic currently. Information provided by the (2) Center for Disease Control proves that Hispanics are actually far behind Whites and Blacks in terms of living HIV cases (34:137:127). What this means is that in the years to come the Hispanic community is far behind the other two races in terms of future AIDS cases. What this also might suggest is that perhaps the rate of AIDS among the Hispanic community is slowing down. Only time will tell.

            In order to generate a plan to deal with the AIDS epidemic, one has to know the underlying factors of the area. Through this study, several factors have been correlated and to some degree have been proven to have a relationship with the cumulative AIDS rate of Onondaga County. Such factors, such as poverty level and language barriers are clear steps in the right direction. It is these factors that provide the foundation for the problem solving process.