The number of new HIV infections in the U.S. has stabilized in recent years, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). After about five years of substantial declines, the number of new infections began to level off in 2013 at about 39,000 per year. The report, which provides the most recent data on HIV trends in America, underscores the importance of the recently announced “Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America.”
In addition to the overall trend, the new report examines HIV infections among multiple subgroups. Data indicate that annual HIV infections declined in some populations, but increased in others. CDC estimates that from 2010 to 2016, annual HIV infections:
- Remained stable among gay and bisexual men, who continue to account for the largest portion (about 70 percent) of new infections. However, trends varied by race/ethnicity and age, with infections remaining stable among black gay and bisexual men, increasing among Latino gay and bisexual men, and decreasing among white gay and bisexual men.
- Decreased about 17 percent among heterosexuals, including a 15 percent decrease among heterosexual African American women.
- Decreased 30 percent among people who inject drugs, but appear to have stabilized in more recent years.
CDC estimates that HIV infections are steady for now because effective HIV prevention and treatment are not adequately reaching those who could most benefit from them. These gaps remain particularly troublesome in rural areas and the South, and among disproportionately affected populations like African Americans and Latinos. For more information, please view the press release. Additional media resources including graphics can be found on the NCHHSTP newsroom.
