HIV testing, treatment, prevention not reaching enough Americans

Too many Americans with HIV are unaware they have it, too few have the virus under control, and too few are taking the daily pill that prevents HIV

December 3, 2019 - A new CDC Vital Signs report published today shows that:

• In 2018, about 18% (219,700) of the 1.2 million people who could benefit from PrEP, a daily pill that prevents HIV, had received a prescription for the medication.
• In 2017, about 154,000 people with HIV (14%) were unaware of their status, and only two-thirds (63%) of those who knew they had HIV had the virus under control through effective treatment.
• The estimated number of annual new infections has remained stable in recent years - at about 38,000 new infections from 2013 to 2017.

The report reinforces the need for bold action to end HIV in the U.S.

The new analysis shows that increasing HIV testing, treatment, and prevention is critical to stopping HIV transmission in the U.S. It also underscores that health disparities must be addressed to achieve the goals of Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America, the proposed federal initiative to reduce new HIV infections by 90% in the next 10 years.

Find more information on CDC's role in furthering the federal plan to end the HIV epidemic here.

"The time is now to end HIV in America. We have the right tools, the right data, and the right leadership to get this done. Those living with HIV are our best teachers. They are key to helping us reach people where they are so that we can better diagnose and link patients to care."

- Robert R. Redfield, M.D., Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention