HIV/AIDS in the United States

CDC Infographics

Rates of HIV diagnoses in the U.S., 2017

New HIV infections by race and transmission group

HIV diagnosis trends in the U.S. and dependent areas, 2012–2016

The estimated number of HIV/AIDS cases in the U.S. in 2007, by transmission category^[1]

The AIDS epidemic, caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), found its way to the United States between the 1970s and 1980s,^[2] but was first noticed after doctors discovered clusters of Kaposi's sarcoma and pneumocystis pneumonia in homosexual men in Los Angeles, New York City, and San Francisco in 1981.^[2][3][4] Treatment of HIV/AIDS is primarily via the use of multiple antiretroviral drugs, and education programs to help people avoid infection.^[2][4]

Initially, infected foreign nationals were turned back at the United States border to help prevent additional infections.^[5][6] The number of United States deaths from AIDS has declined sharply since the early years of the disease's presentation domestically.^[1] In the United States in 2016, 1.1 million people aged over 13 lived with an HIV infection, of whom 14% were unaware of their infection.^[1] African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, homosexual and bisexual men, and intravenous drug users remain disproportionately affected.^[1][4]