New data reveal that HIV incidence in the USA is 40% higher than previously thought

Improved surveillance methods show that HIV incidence in the USA is 40% higher than previously estimated, according to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in a study released at the XVII International AIDS conference in Mexico City this week.

 

The new statistics were produced using more precise methods for estimating annual HIV incidence, or the number of people who become newly infected with HIV in a given year. They show that 56,300 HIV infections occurred in the United States in 2006 (the most recent year for which data are available), compared to the previous estimate of 40,000.

 

The CDC's previous HIV incidence estimate was based only on reported HIV diagnosis, which can give a misleading picture of the epidemic as some people are tested years after they become infected with HIV. The new method for measuring HIV infection involves a laboratory test that can distinguish recent from long-standing HIV infections.

 

Dr Kevin Fenton of the CDC, said, " The new estimate does not represent an actual increase in the number of new infections, but reflects our ability to more precisely measure HIV incidence and secure a better understanding of the epidemic."

 

The new surveillance system also shows that the impact of HIV remains greatest among certain groups such as men who have sex with men, who accounted for 53 percent of new infections; and rates of HIV among African American communities were found to be 7 times higher than among whites.

 

"Unfortunately we are far from winning the battle against this preventable disease, " said Julie Gerberding of the CDC. "We as a nation have to come together to focus our efforts on expanding the prevention programs we know are effective."

 

(CDC Press release, 03/08/08)