HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a persistent health issue across Michigan. In 2023, about 52,000 Michiganders were diagnosed with one or more reportable STIs, and 17,970 were living with HIV (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services 2024; Miller 2023). Some areas of the state experience higher rates than others; the communities in Wayne County that do not include Detroit, known as Out-Wayne, have the highest prevalence of HIV in the state only after Detroit.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) seeks to understand the sexual health needs and resources in Out-Wayne County communities to determine what actions can be taken to prevent HIV and STI transmission. MDHHS engaged Public Sector Consultants (PSC) to conduct an environmental scan of four communities in Out-Wayne County: Inkster, Romulus, Garden City, and Westland. Nearly one-third of all new HIV diagnoses in Out-Wayne County occur across these communities.