HIV prevalence in US tops 1 million

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that approximately 1.1 million adults and adolescents in the US were living with HIV infection at the end of 2006.

Based on the CDC's new data set -- the national HIV/AIDS Reporting System for persons aged 13 years and older -- Dr. M. L. Campsmith and colleagues found that HIV prevalence increased by 11 percent since 2003. The CDC used different methods in the past to calculate the number, which was 994,000 using 2003 data.

An editorial note attributes this change in part to increased survival brought about by treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy, the cocktail of drugs that can keep the virus in check.

Between 2003 and 2005, the percentage of people with HIV who were not aware that they were infected fell from 25 percent to 21 percent.

According to the report, individuals usually reduce risky sexual behaviors after being diagnosed with HIV. Therefore, the authors conclude in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, "Culturally appropriate opportunities for HIV testing, diagnosis, and access to early treatment and prevention services to reduce further HIV transmission are key to reducing new infections and ultimately decreasing HIV prevalence in the United States."

The report also reinforces previous findings that the U.S. AIDS epidemic disproportionately affects blacks of both sexes as well as gay and bisexual men.

SOURCE: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report for October 3, 2008.