HIV/AIDS in the U.S.

HIV/AIDS in the U.S.

Nearly 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV, and approximately 13% of them don’t know it.

  • For every 100 people overall with diagnosed HIV in the U.S. in 2020, about 74% received some HIV care, 51% were retained in care, and 65% were virally suppressed.
  • In the U.S. and dependent areas, there were 30,635 new HIV diagnoses among people aged 13 and older in 2020.
  • HIV diagnoses decreased 8% overall in the U.S. and dependent areas from 2016 to 2019.
  • In 2020, Southern states accounted for 51% of new HIV diagnoses, despite making up just 38% of the overall U.S. population.
  • African Americans accounted for 42% of HIV diagnoses in 2020, although they comprise only about 14% of the population. People who identify as Hispanic/Latino accounted for 27% of new HIV diagnoses, although they comprise only about 19% of the population.
  • In 2020, there were 18,489 deaths among people with diagnosed HIV in the U.S. and dependent areas. These deaths may be due to any cause.
  • Overall, more than 80% of people diagnosed with HIV in 2020 were linked to care within one month of diagnosis.

Gay, Bisexual and Other MSM

  • Of the 30,635 new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. and dependent areas in 2020, 71% were among gay, bisexual and other men who reported male-to-male sexual contact.
  • In 2020, 26% of new HIV diagnoses were among Black/African American MSM. Among all MSM, this group made up 39% of diagnoses.
  • From 2016 to 2019, HIV diagnoses decreased 7% among gay and bisexual men overall, and remained stable for African American and Latino gay and bisexual men.
Transgender

Transgender People

  • While transgender men accounted for less than 1% (40) of new HIV diagnoses, transgender women accounted for 2% (638) of new HIV diagnoses.
  • By age, in 2020, transgender women aged 25-29 years made up the largest percentage (28%) of diagnoses of HIV infection among transgender persons. Transgender women aged 20-24 years (21%) were the second highest.

HIV in Women (Based on Sex Assigned at Birth)

  • Approximately 23% of people living with HIV in the U.S. are women. About one in nine are unaware of their status.
  • Adult and adolescent women accounted for 18% of new HIV diagnoses in 2020. Of these, 83% were attributed to heterosexual sex and 15% to injection drug use.
  • Among all women aged 13 and older diagnosed with HIV in 2020, 54% were African American, 24% were white, and 17% were Hispanic/Latina.
  • For every 100 women diagnosed with HIV in 2020, 82.3% were linked to care within one month of diagnosis and 67.4% achieved viral suppression within six months of diagnosis.

HIV in Young People

  • Youth aged 13 to 24 accounted for 20% of new HIV diagnoses in 2020. People aged 25 to 34 accounted for 37% of new HIV diagnoses in 2020.
  • Young men accounted for 85% of new HIV diagnoses among youth in 2020; young women for 12%. About 92% of young men acquired HIV through male-to-male sexual contact; about 86% of young women acquired HIV through heterosexual contact.
  • Among people aged 13-24, almost half don’t know they have acquired HIV.
  • Youth with HIV are the least likely of any age group to be linked to care in a timely manner and have a suppressed viral load. 63.5% of youth living with HIV in 2020 were virally suppressed.

Sources:

HIV.gov U.S. Statistics Overview

HIV Surveillance Report: Diagnoses of HIV Infection in the United States and Dependent Areas, 2020

HIV Surveillance Report: Monitoring Selected National HIV Prevention and Care Objectives By Using HIV Surveillance Data United States and 6 Dependent Areas, 2020

*Data for 2020 should be interpreted with caution due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to HIV testing, care-related services, and case surveillance activities in state and local jurisdictions.

(Last updated January 2023)