Where you live in the United States has everything to do with how well you live with—and your odds for surviving—HIV.

People with HIV who live in the South are as much as two times likely to die prematurely than those living with the virus in other states. The highest rates of mortality for positive residents can be found in: Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. The lowest: Idaho, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

New York, which has the country’s largest population of people living with HIV, did OK on mortality risk—eighth out of the 37 states tracked.

Among the secrets of highly successful states: better testing and access to treatment, and more resources and services for people living with the virus.  

Interested in advocating for equal access to health care for people with HIV across America? Go to poz.com/roadtowashington.