3. Promoting HIV Testing in Diverse Populations
By Risk Group
Among the transmission categories associated with the potential transmission of HIV infection, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM)—from all races and ethnicities—make up the population group in which the incidence of HIV infection is the greatest. For purposes of epidemiologic surveillance, the CDC uses the term MSM to indicate behaviors that can transmit HIV infection rather than how individuals self-identify in terms of their sexuality.
- Although estimated to comprise only 2% of the US population, MSM accounted for 61% of all new HIV infections in 2009 and 49% of HIV-infected persons in 2008 (the most recent year prevalence data are available), according to CDC data.
- In 2009, white MSM accounted for the largest number of new HIV infections of any group in the US, followed closely by African American MSM.
- Young African American MSM were the only risk group that experienced statistically significant increases in new HIV infections from 2006 to 2009.
Nevertheless, heterosexuals and injection drug users (IDUs) also continue to be affected by HIV:
- Heterosexuals accounted for an estimated 7% of new HIV infections in 2009 and 28% of people living with HIV infection in 2008.
- Injection drug users comprised 9% of new HIV infections in 2009 and 17% of those living with HIV in 2008.
- Women accounted for 23% of estimated new HIV infections in 2009 and 25% of those living with HIV infection in 2008, with infection attributed primarily to heterosexual contact or to injection drug use.
For more information on the process and significance of HIV surveillance, please view the tutorial, “Understanding HIV/AIDS Surveillance Data in the United States.”
Estimated New HIV Infections in the United States, 2009, for the Most-Affected Subpopulations
Chart does not reflect subpopulations representing ≤ 2% of the overall population of HIV infections. [CDC HIV Surveillance 2012]
