The number of new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections
nationwide has continued to remain stable, according to a new report by
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
HIV is still a serious issue, with an estimated 47,500 new infections in the United States in 2010. Certain groups, including latinos, gay and bisexual men of all ethnicities, and African Americans, remain disproportionately affected.
Two other significant trends were also noted: early signs of a reduction in new HIV infections among black women as well as a worrisome and consistent rise in new infections among bisexual and gay men.
Homosexual men continue to be the group that is most affected. New infections for this group rose from 26,700 in 2008 to 29,800 in 2010. These men account for four percent of the U.S. population, however, they make up 63 percent of the total of new infections.
Previous research suggests that individual risk behavior does not represent the disproportionate presence of HIV among men who have sex with men.
Other factors that contribute include: a high incidence of HIV among men having sex with other men (MSM), causing a higher risk of HIV exposure with each sexual experience; the high proportion of MSM who do not know about their infection; stigma and homophobia; lack of insurance and worries about confidentiality; and high rates of some STDs. Also MSM typically underestimate their own personal risk.
Women account for 66 percent of new HIV cases among heterosexuals, however, that portion has declined since 2007.
Blacks account for 14 percent of the population and represent about 44 percent of new HIV infections, while hispanics account for 16 percent of the population and make up 21 percent of new infections. New infections continued to be steady among Hispanics and blacks between 2008 and 2010, according to the CDC. These numbers show that minorities are still disproportionately affected.
Whites make up a third (31 percent) of all new HIV infections but had a much lower infection rate than Hispanics or African Americans. There was no significant change in total HIV incidence among whites from 2008 to 2010.
The research indicates that the annual number of new infections has continued to be steady even though there has been a rise in the number of people living with HIV. This suggests that treatment, prevention programs, and testing are all having a significant impact. However, rates of new infections remain too high.
The CDC has planned a new approach in an attempt to achieve an AIDS-free generation. They will focus on the following five areas:
HIV is still a serious issue, with an estimated 47,500 new infections in the United States in 2010. Certain groups, including latinos, gay and bisexual men of all ethnicities, and African Americans, remain disproportionately affected.
Two other significant trends were also noted: early signs of a reduction in new HIV infections among black women as well as a worrisome and consistent rise in new infections among bisexual and gay men.
Homosexual men continue to be the group that is most affected. New infections for this group rose from 26,700 in 2008 to 29,800 in 2010. These men account for four percent of the U.S. population, however, they make up 63 percent of the total of new infections.
Previous research suggests that individual risk behavior does not represent the disproportionate presence of HIV among men who have sex with men.
Other factors that contribute include: a high incidence of HIV among men having sex with other men (MSM), causing a higher risk of HIV exposure with each sexual experience; the high proportion of MSM who do not know about their infection; stigma and homophobia; lack of insurance and worries about confidentiality; and high rates of some STDs. Also MSM typically underestimate their own personal risk.
Women account for 66 percent of new HIV cases among heterosexuals, however, that portion has declined since 2007.
Blacks account for 14 percent of the population and represent about 44 percent of new HIV infections, while hispanics account for 16 percent of the population and make up 21 percent of new infections. New infections continued to be steady among Hispanics and blacks between 2008 and 2010, according to the CDC. These numbers show that minorities are still disproportionately affected.
Whites make up a third (31 percent) of all new HIV infections but had a much lower infection rate than Hispanics or African Americans. There was no significant change in total HIV incidence among whites from 2008 to 2010.
The research indicates that the annual number of new infections has continued to be steady even though there has been a rise in the number of people living with HIV. This suggests that treatment, prevention programs, and testing are all having a significant impact. However, rates of new infections remain too high.
The CDC has planned a new approach in an attempt to achieve an AIDS-free generation. They will focus on the following five areas:
- Supporting Prevention Programs
- Tracking the Epidemic
- Supporting HIV Prevention
- Raising Awareness
- Supporting Structural Interventions
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