The Centers for Disease and Prevention released encouraging data about the fight against HIV. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.
Estimated annual new HIV infections in the US were 12% lower in 2021 compared to 2017—dropping from about 36,500 infections to about 32,100—according to new CDC data published Tuesday.
The decline was driven by a 34% decrease in new infections among 13- to 24-year-olds, mostly among gay and bisexual males.
Among key HIV prevention indicators, the greatest improvement was in the number of people taking PrEP to prevent HIV.
In 2021, about 30% of the 1.2 million people who could benefit from PrEP were prescribed it—a notable improvement compared to about 13% prescribed PrEP in 2017.
CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky said in a press release, “Our nation’s HIV prevention efforts continue to move in the right direction. Efforts must be accelerated and strengthened for progress to reach all groups faster and equitably.”
CDC estimates that As of 2021, 1.2 million people in the US have HIV, and that 87% of them had received a diagnosis.
This means that 1 of 8 people with HIV in the United States do not know they have it.
While strides have been made in HIV prevention, at least three people in the US get HIV, every hour, of every day.
For 89 9 KRPS News, I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro
