More than 1.1 million people are estimated to be living with HIV (including those with AIDS) today, representing a slight increase over time as people are living longer with HIV disease and new infections remain relatively stable.

By the end of 2007, cumulative AIDS diagnoses reached an estimated 1,051,875, including 37,041 in 2007.

HIV transmission patterns have shifted over time. Most new HIV infections are among gay and bisexual men (53% in 2006), a smaller share than earlier in the epidemic but the only group for which new infections are on the rise. Heterosexual transmission has accounted for a grownig share of new HIV infections over time, representing 31% in 2006, although they have been on the decline in recent years. New infections due to injection drug use have declined  significantly over time - by aproximately 80% - and accounted for 12% of new infections in 2006.

• Racial and ethnic minorities have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic, and represented the majority of new AIDS cases (71%), new HIV infections and people living with HIV/AIDS (67%, respectively), and AIDS deaths (70%) in 2007.

• Blacks and Latinos account for a disproportionate share of HIV infections, relative to their size in the U.S. population.

• Based on the CDC’s recent estimate of HIV/AIDS prevalence,3 there are more than 500,000 Blacks living with HIV and AIDS in the U.S. Analysis of national household survey data found that 2% of Blacks in the U.S. were HIV positive, higher than any other group.

• Blacks also have the highest rate of new HIV infections and new AIDS cases of any racial/ethnic group, followed by Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, Latinos, American Indian/Alaska Natives, whites, and Asians. The AIDS case rate per 100,000 for Blacks in 2007 was more than 9 times that of whites.  The HIV rate was 7 times greater among Blacks than whites in 2006.

• Blacks accounted for 56% of deaths due to HIV in 2005; Latinos accounted for 13%.  Survival after an AIDS diagnosis is lower for Blacks than other racial/ethnic groups, and Blacks have had the highest age-adjusted death rate due to HIV disease throughout most of the epidemic.

• HIV was the 4th leading cause of death for Black men and 3rd for Black women, ages 25–44, in 2005, ranking higher than their respective counterparts in any other racial/ethnic group.

• Today, women represent a larger share of new HIV infections compared to earlier in the epidemic. HIV incidence among women increased gradually until the late 1980s, declined during the early 1990s, and has remained relatively stable since, at approximately 27% in 2006.  Based on the CDC’s most recent estimates, close to 280,000 women are living with HIV and AIDS in the U.S.

• Women of color are particularly affected. Black women accounted for two thirds (65%) of new AIDS cases among women in 2007; Latinas represented 15% and white women, 17%.  Black women also accounted for the largest share of new HIV infections among women in 2006 (61%).

• Young adults and teens, under the age of 30, continue to be at risk, with those between the ages of 13 and 29 accounting for 34% of new HIV infections in 2006, the largest share of any age group.  Most young people are infected sexually.

• Among young people, teen girls and minorities have been particularly affected. In 2006, teen girls represented 39% of AIDS cases reported among 13–19 year-olds. Black teens represented 69% of cases reported among 13–19 year-olds; Latino teens represented 19%.

• Perinatal HIV transmission, from an HIV infected mother to her baby, has declined significantly in the U.S., largely due to ARVs which can prevent mother-to-child transmission.

• Despite declines in HIV infection rates among gay and bisexual men since the early years of the epidemic, they continue to be at high risk for HIV. Gay and bisexual men accounted for an estimated 53% of new HIV infections in 2006, and are the only group for which new infections are on the rise.

• Younger gay and bisexual men and those of color are at particularly high risk. Young men between the ages of 13 and 29 accounted for 38% of infections among gay and bisexual men, a share that was even higher among young Black men (52%).  Studies have also found high HIV incidence and prevalence among gay and bisexual men in some cities, particularly Black and Latino men, many of whom did not know they were infected.