Posted on February 16, 2017
Source: The Huffington Post
"On February 14, 2017, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) unveiled new HIV incidence estimates for the United States from the years 2008 through 2014. Employing a recently developed method for estimating HIV incidence (based on diagnostic and CD4 cell level at time of diagnosis information), CDC provided the first official updates of HIV incidence estimates in several years. This new methodology and updated estimates are very welcome and will better help address the epidemic in the U.S., since timely incidence estimates (previous estimates were for the year 2010) are key to understanding the dynamics of the U.S. epidemic and are an essential component to any national statistical dashboard for up-to-date monitoring of the HIV epidemic.
CDC reported that between 2008 and 2014, HIV incidence declined by 18% in the U.S. However, several key disparities are apparent. In 2014, Southern states comprised about one-half of new HIV infections, and gay and bisexual men accounted for approximately 70% of new HIV infections. Additionally, incidence did not decline for Black gay and bisexual men over this time frame. Further, incidence increased among Latino gay and bisexual men and also increased among gay and bisexual men aged 25-34 years.
While the overall 18% decline from 2008 to 2014 is welcome news, we must not celebrate too quickly."
