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New
Study Shows Overall Increase in HIV(onlinedatingmagazine.com -
November 26, 2003) The most comprehensive analysis
of US HIV cases completed to date reveals that new
HIV
diagnoses in 29 states increased in 2002, the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention announced today.
Overall, new diagnoses in these states rose by 5.1
per cent over the four-year period 1999 to 2002. The
increases underscore the urgent need for public awareness
and action as countries around the globe observe World
AIDS Day.
African Americans Account for More That 50%
of New HIV Cases
The new analysis of 102,590 people diagnosed with
HIV in the 29 states between 1999 and 2002 shows that
African-Americans continued to account for more than
half (55%) the new diagnoses. Additionally, significant
increases in new HIV diagnoses were observed among
Latinos (26% increase) and non-Hispanic whites (8%
increase). HIV diagnoses increased 17 per cent among
gay and bisexual men, and 7 per cent among men overall.
The study found no significant changes in the number
of new HIV diagnoses among Asian/Pacific Islanders
or Native Americans. The analysis was published in
the November 28 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report (MMWR).
“Fighting HIV in America is as urgent on World
AIDS Day in 2003 as it was more than two decades ago
when the epidemic began,” said Dr. Julie Gerberding,
CDC director. “These new findings strongly support
three key realities of today’s epidemic: the
HIV epidemic in this country is not over; more often
than not the face of HIV in this country is black or
Latino; and gay and bisexual men in several communities
are facing a possible resurgence of HIV infection.”
HIV Epidemic Aided by Stigma and Discrimination
"Stigma and discrimination – themes for
this year’s World AIDS Day – help perpetuate
the HIV epidemic around the world and here in our own
country," said Dr. Harold Jaffe, director of CDC’s
HIV prevention programs. “These obstacles deter
people from getting tested and prevent HIV-infected
people from receiving treatment. They also increase
the already heavy burden of HIV in communities of color.”
The 29 states included in the analysis have conducted
confidential, name-based HIV case reporting since 1999.
The study is based on reported new HIV diagnoses, which
is the point at which an individual learns of his/her
HIV infection, not necessarily the point at which a
person became infected. Increases in HIV diagnoses
do not always reflect increases in new infections because
numbers showing new diagnoses include individuals who
were recently infected as well as those who were infected
long ago but only recently tested and diagnosed.
HIV Testing Should Be a Major Factor
Study authors believe, however, the data suggest that
the rise in new HIV diagnoses likely represents actual
new infections and not a greater amount of testing.
Increases in HIV testing can lead to increased numbers
of people being diagnosed with HIV. The study authors
note, however, that more people who had progressed
to AIDS before their HIV diagnoses might have been
detected if increased testing were a major factor,
and this was not the case in this study.
“Even with this still-incomplete picture of
HIV infection in America, it’s clear that we
still face enormous challenges in continuing to confront
the AIDS epidemic,” Dr. Jaffe said. “Foremost
among these challenges is working to encourage HIV-positive
persons in our country, who are unaware of their infections,
to seek testing, treatment and prevention counseling.
CDC announced a new initiative in April of this year
aimed at increasing opportunities for testing, counseling
and treatment for these individuals.”
Advancing HIV Prevention Initiative
Through its new “Advancing HIV Prevention” initiative,
CDC is working with communities, government groups
and health care providers across the nation to help
at-risk individuals learn of their HIV status, better
understand ways of preventing HIV infection, and, if
infected, receive treatment and care. At-risk populations
include people infected with HIV, those not infected,
and those who are unsure of their status. A new rapid
HIV test which can provide preliminary results in as
little as 20 minutes is central to this effort.
CDC estimates that between 850,000 and 950,000 Americans
are now living with HIV. This is the greatest number
since the epidemic began more than two decades ago.
It is estimated that one fourth of the people living
with HIV, approximately 180,000 to 280,000 people,
remain unaware of their infections. An estimated 40,000
new HIV infections continue to occur in the US each
year.
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