So, exactly how common is HIV? HIV continues to be an essential health topic in the United States and around the world. Understanding how common HIV is helps people make informed decisions about testing, prevention, and care. Knowing your status is the first step toward protecting your health and others’, whether through regular testing or preventive options like PrEP. If you’re interested in taking proactive steps, sign up for MISTR’s confidential telehealth services to access PrEP and HIV care from home.
Key Takeaways
- More than 1.1 million people in the United States are living with diagnosed HIV.
- Tens of thousands of people receive a new HIV diagnosis yearly.
- HIV affects people of all backgrounds, but the disease disproportionately impacts certain groups.
HIV in the United States — Current Numbers
In the United States, an estimated 1.2 million people aged 13 and over are living with HIV. About 13% of people with HIV in the US don’t yet know their status, highlighting the importance of regular testing for everyone. Early diagnosis is essential for connecting people to treatment and care.
Many people who are unaware of their HIV status have no symptoms during the early stages of infection. HIV can remain undetected for years without routine testing, which is why public health guidelines recommend regular HIV screening as part of ongoing sexual health measures. Early diagnosis allows individuals to begin treatment sooner, protect their immune system, and reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to others. It also helps public health systems better understand where prevention and education efforts are most needed.
According to CDC surveillance data, there were approximately 39,000 people diagnosed with HIV in 2023. Over 80% of these were men, with 66% attributed to male-to-male contact. Although HIV cases have dropped 12% in 2022, we must be diligent to ensure people have access to testing services to protect themselves and others.
Who Is Most Affected By HIV?
HIV doesn’t only affect one group of people. It’s present across different communities and can impact anyone.
- Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with other men continue to account for a majority of new HIV infections in the United States.
- Racial and ethnic disparities persist, with Black/African American people experiencing higher rates of HIV diagnoses compared to other groups.
- Geographically, the South has the highest number of HIV diagnoses compared to other US regions.
These disparities reflect structural, social, and economic factors that influence access to prevention, testing, and care.
Age and gender also influence HIV trends in the United States. Adults between the ages of 25 and 44 account for a large share of new diagnoses, though people over 50 represent a growing portion of those living with HIV due to longer life expectancy with treatment. While men make up most new diagnoses, HIV continues to affect women and transgender individuals, and they may face additional barriers to prevention and care.
Why HIV Prevalence Still Matters
Prevalence refers to the number of people living with HIV at a given time, while incidence refers to new infections. This distinction is crucial because it helps us understand the real HIV numbers. Understanding prevalence is important because it shows the ongoing impact of HIV and highlights which communities may need additional support or resources.
Even as new HIV infections have seen a decrease overall, the number of people living with HIV remains high in part because advances in antiretroviral therapy allow many people with HIV to live long, healthy lives.
Because a significant number of people with HIV are now living longer, prevalence remains a crucial measure for understanding what communities may benefit from continued prevention and care efforts.
Advances in Prevention and Care
There have been many scientific advances in HIV prevention and treatment.
- PrEP: Pre-exposure prophylaxis is a once-daily pill that is up to 99% effective at preventing HIV when you take it as prescribed.
- Testing: Regular HIV testing is essential for early detection and connecting with care and prevention services.
- Treatment: Antiretroviral therapy enables people with HIV to achieve viral suppression, meaning the virus is undetectable and you can’t transmit it sexually.
- Condoms: When you use condoms consistently and correctly, they’re also an effective tool for HIV prevention, and they can protect against other sexually transmitted infections.
These tools have transformed the way we approach HIV prevention and care, making it possible to reduce new infections and improve quality of life significantly. For many people, telehealth services like MISTR make it easier to access prevention, PrEP, testing guidance, and follow-up care without needing an in-person visit.
Staying Informed About HIV
Understanding how common HIV is can help reduce stigma and encourage proactive sexual health decisions. Regular testing and awareness are essential, even if someone doesn’t think they’re at risk. Knowing prevalence isn’t about fear; it’s about empowerment and health literacy. Regular testing, awareness of personal risk, and access to prevention tools like PrEP are all part of staying healthy.
Whether you’re curious about your risk or ready to start prevention, sign up for MISTR to get secure, confidential telehealth care and PrEP services from home.