One of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies will spend $3 million helping public health departments take care of HIV patients, and Fulton County is one of three governments benefiting. The Merck Company Foundation initiative will give Fulton Health Services $1 million over three years to bolster HIV care and prevention. Houston and Philadelphia health departments were also chosen. They and Atlanta are among the top 10 U.S. cities with the highest HIV burden. An Emory University study found that the HIV in the metro area is concentrated in downtown Atlanta, meeting the World Health Organization's "epidemic" definition.