HIV Infections among Young People and Overall New Infections in the U.S. Decreases

Washington, DC–Estimated annual new HIV infections were 12% lower in 2021 compared to 2017—dropping from about 36,500 infections to about 32,100—according to new CDC data published today. The decline was driven by a 34% decrease in new infections among 13- to 24-year-olds, mostly among gay and bisexual males.

According to CDC’s latest estimates, annual HIV infections dropped from 9,300 in 2017 to 6,100 in 2021 among 13- to 24-year-olds. Declines among young gay and bisexual males (who account for roughly 80% of new infections in this age group) drove the trend, falling from an estimated 7,400 infections to about 4,900 during the timeframe.

Data suggest that improved reach of HIV testing, treatment, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has contributed to progress in HIV prevention among young gay and bisexual males.

Additional Data (CDC estimates)

  • As of 2021, 1.2 million people in the United States have HIV, and that 87% of them had received a diagnosis. This means that 1 of 8 people with HIV in the United States do not know they have it.
  • About two-thirds of new HIV infections in 2021 were among gay and bisexual men. By age, most (9,100) of those were among 25- to 34-year-olds; followed by 13- to 24-year-olds (4,900); and 35- to 44-year-olds (4,000).
  • More than half (52%) of new HIV infections in 2021 were in the U.S. South. The U.S. South was also the only region with a decline in overall estimated new infections in 2021 when compared to 2017 (down 12%).
    • 16,700 in the South
    • 6,600 in the West
    • 4,400 in the Northeast
    • 4,400 in the Midwest
  • 2 million people could benefit from PrEP for HIV prevention. The majority are Black people (468,540) or Hispanic/Latino people (312,820). However, in 2021, estimates suggest less than a quarter of the Black people or Hispanic/Latino people who could benefit were prescribed PrEP, while over three-quarters of White people who could benefit got a prescription. The data on PrEP prescriptions by race and ethnicity are limited, and findings are estimated. In 2021, CDC estimates:
    • 11% of Black people who could benefit from PrEP were prescribed it.
      • 51,878 of 468,540
    • 20% of Hispanic/Latino people who could benefit from PrEP were prescribed it.
      • 64,018 of 312,820
    • 78% of White people who could benefit from PrEP were prescribed it.
      • 234,318 of 300,650
    • 12% of people of other races/ethnicities who could benefit from PrEP were prescribed it.
      • 15,779 of 131,180

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