### Question
Can you define what severity of need index means?


### Answer
**Severity of need index** is defined as the following in *42 U.S.C. § 300ff*:

> the index of the relative needs of individuals within a State or area, as identified by a number of different factors, and is a factor or set of factors that is multiplied by the number of living HIV/AIDS cases in a State or area, providing different weights to those cases based on needs

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 300ff*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 6A-PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE > SUBCHAPTER XXIV-HIV HEALTH CARE SERVICES PROGRAM > Part E-General Provisions**

