HIV Highest in the South

MYFOXNY.COM - In news making medical headlines: new research finds HIV rates are the highest in the south... and contraception use is on the decline among teens.

Watch the video (left) for the full report by Fox 5 Dr. Sapna Parikh.

DOCTOR/PATIENT DISCONNECT: Abnormal test results aren't being reported to some patients that's according to a new study on office procedures.  It found some doctors thought patients were informed about blood tests or x-rays when they weren't.  Researchers also surveyed the doctors with uninformed patients.  Some told them that the patient had been informed, even though there was no documentation.

HIV RATES IN SOUTH: A new Internet data map shows who is affected most by HIV -- it shows that overall the HIV rates are the highest in the south. The national minority quality forum, a nonprofit research organization says infection rates are higher in african-american communities, and high Minority populations throughout states like georgia and South Carolina.  The map should help health officials identify geographic differences in the HIV epidemic but CDC officials were cautious about the data saying they hadn't seen all the organization's information. Keep in mind-- HIV is a nationwide problem-- the numbers are highest here in New York City where we have a bigger population.

TEENS & CONTRACEPTION: An alarming report on teens and contraceptives. A study out of Columbia University found a decline in contraceptive use and an increase in sexual activity from 2003- to 2007. The study appears in "the Journal of Adolescent health." The results go together with the rise in teenage pregnancies.