HIV Awareness Rising Among U.S. Urban Gays

Data collected in 2011 for the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System indicates that prevalence of HIV among gay and bisexual men in 20 urban areas is nearly the same as in 2008 (18 percent in 2011 compared to 19 percent in 2008). However, a higher percentage of HIV-infected gay and bisexual men know they have the virus (66 percent overall in 2011 compared to 56 percent in 2008).

Every three years, CDC investigators survey 20 urban areas with heavy burden of HIV, interviewing people at dance clubs and bars frequented by men who have sex with men (MSM). In 2011, investigators interviewed and tested 8,423 participants, compared to a similar survey of 7,847 MSM in 2008. CDC epidemiologist Cyprian Wejnert, PhD, reported that disparities in HIV infection among MSM still persist in 2011. Thirty percent of black gay and bisexual men have HIV compared to 14 percent of white gay and bisexual men. Only 54 percent of black HIV-infected gay and bisexual men know they have the virus, compared to 86 percent of white men.

CDC collects data in alternate years for the other high risk groups -- heterosexuals and injection drug users.

An abstract of the report, "HIV Prevalence and Awareness of Infection in 2008 and 2011 Among Men Who Have Sex with Men: 20 US Cities," was published online by the 20th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections at www.retroconference.org/2013b/Abstracts/45701.htm.

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