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 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
*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)