Key Trends and Current Cases:
• AIDS cases have been reported in all 50 states,
the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories.
• As many as one-third of those infected with
HIV do not know they are HIV positive.
• The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) estimates that more than 500,000 Americans with
AIDS have already died, and almost 1 million more are
currently living with HIV.
• There is no cure for HIV/AIDS and the number
of new infections occurring annually in the U.S. has
not decreased in the last decade, remaining constant
at approximately 40,000 each year.
• Advances in treatment have dramatically decreased
the number of people who have died of AIDS.
Impact of HIV/AIDS on Young People:
• At least one-half of all new HIV infections
are estimated to be among those under the age of 25.
• Most young people are infected through sex.
• Young people, women and people of color have
been particularly affected.
Impact of HIV/AIDS on People of color:
• People of color now represent the majority
of new HIV infections, new AIDS cases and of Americans
living with AIDS in the U.S.
• Although African-Americans and Latinos represent
12% and 14% of the U.S. population respectively, in
2002, they accounted for 50% and 20% of newly reported
AIDS cases.
• The majority of new HIV infections are among
African-Americans (54%); 19% are among Latinos.
Impact of HIV/AIDS on Women:
• Women are estimated to account for 30% of new
HIV infections.
• Women of color are particularly affected.
• African-American women account for 64% of new
HIV infections among women and Latinas account for 18%.
Impact of HIV/AIDS on Men Who Have Sex With
Men (MSM):
Men who have sex with men account for approximately
42% of all new HIV infections and 60% of new infections
among men.
• Younger MSM and MSM of color are at particularly
high risk.
• MSM of color now account for the majority of
AIDS cases reported among MSM.
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Overview of the Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic:
The global HIV/AIDS epidemic has claimed over 20 million
lives. 40 million people are estimated to be living
with HIV/AIDS worldwide. AIDS is now the fourth leading
cause of death worldwide and the number one cause of
death in Africa.
Impact of HIV/AIDS on Women, Children, &
Young People:
• Women make up a growing percentage of adults
living with HIV/AIDS around the world, rising from 41%
in 1997 to 50% in 2002.
• In sub-Saharan Africa, women represent more
than half of adults living with HIV/AIDS.
• Teens and young adults have been particularly
affected by HIV/AIDS.
• Young people ages 15-24 account for 42% of
new HIV infections and represent almost a third of the
global total of people living with HIV/AIDS.
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* Text courtesy of KNOW HIV/AIDS, a partnership
of Viacom and the Kaiser Family Foundation
