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Basic Statistics

February 28, 2011

Unless otherwise noted, the following data are from the CDC HIV Surveillance Report: Diagnoses of HIV infection and AIDS in the United States and Dependent Areas, 2009.

Table of Contents


Definitions

For more definitions and details about how HIV infection and AIDS data are tabulated, read the "Technical Notes" from the HIV Surveillance Report: Diagnoses of HIV Infection and AIDS in the United States and Dependent Areas, 2009.

For additional details on HIV disease surveillance, view the Kaiser Family Foundation tutorial: Understanding HIV/AIDS Surveillance Data in the United States.


HIV Prevalence Estimate

Prevalence is the number of people living with HIV infection at the end of a given year.

At the end of 2006, an estimated 1,106,400 persons (95% confidence interval 1,056,400-1,156,400) in the United States were living with HIV infection, with 21% undiagnosed.1

For more information see "HIV in the United States."

  1. CDC. HIV Prevalence Estimates -- United States, 2006. MMWR 2009;57(39):1073-76.


HIV Incidence Estimate

Incidence is the number of new HIV infections that occur during a given year.

In 2008, CDC estimated that approximately 56,300 people were newly infected with HIV in 20061 (the most recent year that data are available). Over half (53%) of these new infections occurred in gay and bisexual men. Black/African American men and women were also strongly affected and were estimated to have an incidence rate than was 7 times as high as the incidence rate among whites. Visit the HIV incidence page for more details.

  1. Hall HI, Ruiguang S, Rhodes P, et al. Estimation of HIV incidence in the United States. JAMA. 2009;300:520-529.

Diagnoses of HIV Infection

In 2009, the estimated number of diagnoses of HIV infection in the 40 states and 5 U.S. dependent areas with confidential name-based HIV infection reporting was 42,959. Of these, 42,011 were in the 40 states and 948 were in the 5 dependent areas. In the 40 states, diagnoses of HIV infection among adults and adolescents totaled 41,845 with 31,872 diagnoses in males and 9,973 diagnoses in females, Among children under age 13 years, there were an estimated 166 diagnoses of HIV infection in 2009.

Estimated numbers resulted from statistical adjustment that accounted for delays in reporting to the health department (but not for incomplete reporting) and missing risk factor information, where appropriate.

Because totals for the estimated numbers were calculated independently of the values for the subpopulations, the subpopulation values may not equal the totals.


Diagnoses of HIV Infection by Age

Of the estimated number of diagnoses of HIV infection in the 40 states with confidential name-based HIV infection reporting in 2009, the distribution of ages at time of diagnosis was as follows:


Age (Years)

Estimated Number of Diagnoses of HIV Infection, 2009

Under 13 166
Ages 13-14 21
Ages 15-19 2,036
Ages 20-24 6,237
Ages 25-29 5,951
Ages 30-34 5,020
Ages 35-39 5,232
Ages 40-44 5,519
Ages 45-49 4,865
Ages 50-54 3,323
Ages 55-59 2,004
Ages 60-64 900
Ages 65 or older 736


Diagnoses of HIV Infection by Race/Ethnicity

CDC tracks diagnoses of HIV infection information on seven racial and ethnic groups: American Indian/Alaska Native; Asian; Black/African American; Hispanic/Latino; Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander; White; and Multiple Races.

In 2009, the estimated number of diagnoses of HIV infection in the 40 states with confidential name-based HIV infection reporting, by race or ethnicity was as follows:


Race or Ethnicity Estimated Number of Diagnoses of HIV Infection, 2009
American Indian/Alaska Native 189
Asian 470
Black/African American 21,652
Hispanic/Latinoa 7,347
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander 34
White 11,803
Multiple Races 516

a. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

For more details on HIV infection and race/ethnicity, see CDC's Populations/Surveillance fact sheets.


Diagnoses of HIV Infection by Transmission Category

Six common transmission categories are male-to-male sexual contact, injection drug use, male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use, heterosexual contact, mother-to-child (perinatal) transmission, and other (includes blood transfusions and unknown cause).

Following is the distribution of the estimated number of diagnoses of HIV infection among adults and adolescents in the 40 states with confidential name-based HIV infection reporting, by transmission category. A breakdown by sex is provided where appropriate.


Transmission Category Estimated Number of Diagnoses of HIV Infection, 2009
Adult and Adolescent Males Adult and Adolescent Females Total
Male-to-male sexual contact 23,846 - 23,846
Injection drug use 2,449 1,483 3,932
Male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use 1,131 - 1,131
Heterosexual contact* 4,399 8,461 12,860
Other** 47 29 76

* Heterosexual contact with a person known to have, or to be at high risk for, HIV infection.

** Includes hemophilia, blood transfusion, perinatal exposure, and risk not reported or not identified.


The distribution of the estimated number of diagnoses of HIV infection among children* in the 40 states with confidential name-based HIV infection reporting, by transmission category, follows:


Transmission Category Estimated Number of Diagnoses of HIV Infection, 2009
Perinatal 131
Other** 35

* The term "children" refers to persons under age 13 years at the time of diagnosis.

** Includes hemophilia, blood transfusion, and risk not reported or not identified.


Persons Living With a Diagnosis of HIV Infection

At the end of 2008, the estimated number of persons living with a diagnosis of HIV infection in the 40 states and 5 U.S. dependent areas with confidential name-based HIV infection reporting was 682,668. In the 40 states only, this included 660,062 adults and adolescents, and 3,022 children under age 13 years.

Data include persons with a diagnosis of HIV infection regardless of the stage of disease at diagnosis. Estimated numbers resulted from statistical adjustment that accounted for delays in reporting to the health department (but not for incomplete reporting) and missing risk factor information, where appropriate.

Because of delays in reporting of deaths, data are only available through the end of 2008. The exclusion of data from the most recent year allows at least 18 months for deaths to be reported and for these persons to be removed from calculations of persons living with a diagnosis of HIV infection.

Totals include persons of unknown race/ethnicity. Because totals for the estimated numbers were calculated independently of the values for the subpopulations, the subpopulation values may not equal the totals.


Deaths of Persons With a Diagnosis of HIV Infection

In 2008, the estimated number of deaths of persons with a diagnosis of HIV infection in the 40 states and 5 U.S. dependent areas with confidential name-based HIV infection reporting was 17,374. In the 40 states only, this included 16,762 adults and adolescents, and 7 children under age 13 years at death.

Deaths of persons with a diagnosis of HIV infection may be due to any cause.

Data include persons with a diagnosis of HIV infection regardless of the stage of disease at diagnosis. Estimated numbers resulted from statistical adjustment that accounted for delays in reporting to the health department (but not for incomplete reporting) and missing risk factor information, where appropriate. Because of delays in reporting of deaths, data are only available through the end of 2008. The exclusion of data from the most recent year allows at least 18 months for deaths of persons with a diagnosis of HIV infection to be reported.

Totals include persons of unknown race/ethnicity. Because totals for the estimated numbers were calculated independently of the values for the subpopulations, the subpopulation values may not equal the totals.

AIDS Diagnoses

In 2009, the estimated number of persons diagnosed with AIDS in the United States and 5 U.S. dependent areas was 34,993. Of these, 34,247 were diagnosed in the 50 states and the District of Columbia and 747 were diagnosed in the dependent areas. In the 50 states and the District of Columbia, 25,587 AIDS diagnoses were among adult and adolescent males, 8,647 were among adult and adolescent females, and 13 diagnoses were among children under age 13 years.

The cumulative estimated number of AIDS diagnoses through 2009 in the United States and dependent areas was 1,142,714 Of these, 1,108,611 were diagnosed in the 50 states and the District of Columbia and 34,103 were diagnosed in the dependent areas. In the 50 states and the District of Columbia, 878,366 cumulative AIDS diagnoses were among adult and adolescent males, 220,795 were among adult and adolescent females, and 9,448 were among children under age 13 years.

Estimated numbers resulted from statistical adjustment that accounted for delays in reporting to the health department (but not for incomplete reporting) and missing risk factor information, where appropriate.

Cumulative totals include persons of unknown race/ethnicity. Because totals for the estimated numbers were calculated independently of the values for the subpopulations, the subpopulation values may not equal the totals.


AIDS Diagnoses by Age

Of the estimated number of AIDS diagnoses in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the distribution of ages at time of diagnosis was as follows:


Age (Years) Estimated # of AIDS Diagnoses, 2009 Cumulative Estimated # of AIDS Diagnoses, through 2009*
Under 13 13 9,448
Ages 13-14 58 1,321
Ages 15-19 484 7,214
Ages 20-24 2,095 42,920
Ages 25-29 3,476 129,639
Ages 30-34 4,043 214,149
Ages 35-39 4,893 234,575
Ages 40-44 5,689 193,237
Ages 45-49 5,466 126,380
Ages 50-54 3,983 72,327
Ages 55-59 2,191 39,025
Ages 60-64 1,010 20,633
Ages 65 or older 846 17,743

* From the beginning of the epidemic through 2009.


AIDS Diagnoses by Race/Ethnicity

CDC tracks AIDS information on seven racial and ethnic groups: American Indian/Alaska Native; Asian; Black/African American; Hispanic/Latino; Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander; White and Multiple Races.

In 2009, the estimated number of AIDS diagnoses in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, by race or ethnicity was as follows:


Race or Ethnicity Estimated # of AIDS Diagnoses, 2009 Cumulative Estimated # of AIDS Diagnoses, Through 2009*
American Indian/Alaska Native 155 3,700
Asiana 429 8,324
Black/African American 16,741 466,351
Hispanic/Latinob 6,719 190,263
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander 50 839
White 9,467 426,102
Multiple Races 686 12,726

* From the beginning of the epidemic through 2009.

a. Includes Asian/Pacific Islander legacy cases.

b. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.

For more details on AIDS and race/ethnicity, see CDC's Populations/Surveillance fact sheets.


AIDS Diagnoses by Transmission Category

Six common transmission categories are male-to-male sexual contact, injection drug use, male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use, heterosexual contact, mother-to-child (perinatal) transmission, and other (includes blood transfusions and unknown cause).

Following is the distribution of the estimated number of AIDS diagnoses among adults and adolescents by transmission category in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. A breakdown by sex is provided where appropriate.


Transmission Category Estimated # of AIDS Diagnoses, 2009
Adult and Adolescent Males Adult and Adolescent Females Total
Male-to-male sexual contact 17,005 - 17,005
Injection drug use 3,012 1,930 4,942
Male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use 1,580 - 1,580
Heterosexual contact* 3,832 6,561 10,393
Other** 158 155 313

* Heterosexual contact with a person known to have, or to be at high risk for, HIV infection.

** Includes hemophilia, blood transfusion, perinatal exposure, and risk not reported or not identified.


Transmission Category Cumulative Estimated # of AIDS Diagnoses, Through 2009*
Adult and Adolescent Males Adult and Adolescent Females Total
Male-to-male sexual contact 529,908 - 529,908
Injection drug use 186,318 87,126 273,444
Male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use 77,213 - 77,213
Heterosexual contact** 72,183 126,637 198,820
Other*** 12,744 7,032 19,776

* From the beginning of the epidemic through 2009.

** Heterosexual contact with a person known to have, or to be at high risk for, HIV infection.

*** Includes hemophilia, blood transfusion, perinatal exposure, and risk not reported or not identified.


The distribution of the estimated number of AIDS diagnoses, among children* in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, by transmission categories was:


Transmission Category Estimated # of AIDS Diagnoses, 2009 Cumulative Estimated # of AIDS Diagnoses Through 2009**
Perinatal 12 8,640
Other*** 1 807

* The term "children" refers to persons under age 13 years at the time of diagnosis.

** From the beginning of the epidemic through 2009.

*** Includes hemophilia, blood transfusion, and risk not reported or not identified.


AIDS Diagnoses by Top 10 States/Dependent Areas

The 10 states or dependent areas reporting the highest number of AIDS diagnoses in 2009 were:


State/Dependent Area # of AIDS Diagnoses, 2009
New York 4,799
Florida 4,392
California 3,760
Texas 2,652
New Jersey 1,475
Georgia 1,391
Illinois 1,202
Maryland 1,134
North Carolina 1,088
Pennsylvania 917


State/Dependent Area # of Cumulative AIDS Diagnoses Through 2009*
Adults or Adolescents Children (<13) Total
New York 199,433 2,438 201,871
California 160,998 696 161,695
Florida 120,701 1,577 122,278
Texas 79,568 399 79,967
New Jersey 54,483 809 55,292
Georgia 39,207 253 39,460
Illinois 38,886 289 39,175
Pennsylvania 38,282 375 38,657
Maryland 35,981 332 36,313
Puerto Rico 32,867 410 33,277

* From the beginning of the epidemic through 2009.


Persons Living With an AIDS Diagnosis

At the end of 2008, the estimated number of persons living with an AIDS diagnosis in the United States and dependent areas was 490,696. In the 50 states and the District of Columbia, this included 479,161 adults and adolescents, and 707 children under age 13 years at the end of the year.

Estimated numbers resulted from statistical adjustment that accounted for delays in reporting to the health department (but not for incomplete reporting) and missing risk factor information, where appropriate.

Because of delays in reporting of deaths, data are only available through the end of 2008. The exclusion of data from the most recent year allows at least 18 months for deaths to be reported and for these persons to be removed from calculations of persons living with an AIDS diagnosis.

Totals include persons of unknown race/ethnicity. Because totals for the estimated numbers were calculated independently of the values for the subpopulations, the subpopulation values may not equal the totals.


Deaths of Persons With an AIDS Diagnosis

In 2008, the estimated number of deaths of persons with an AIDS diagnosis in the United States and dependent areas was 16,605. In the 50 states and the District of Columbia, this included 16,084 adults and adolescents, and 4 children under age 13 years.

The cumulative estimated number of deaths of persons with an AIDS diagnosis in the United States and dependent areas, through 2008, was 617,025. In the 50 states and the District of Columbia, this included 589,547 adults and adolescents, and 4,949 children under age 13 years at death.

Deaths of persons with an AIDS diagnosis may be due to any cause.

Estimated numbers resulted from statistical adjustment that accounted for delays in reporting to the health department (but not for incomplete reporting) and missing risk factor information, where appropriate. Because of delays in reporting of deaths, data are only available through the end of 2008. The exclusion of data from the most recent year allows at least 18 months for deaths of persons with an AIDS diagnosis to be reported.

Totals include persons of unknown race/ethnicity. Because totals for the estimated numbers were calculated independently of the values for the subpopulations, the subpopulation values may not equal the totals.

State-by-State HIV Infection and AIDS Data


International Statistics

For the most up-to-date information on international HIV infection and AIDS statistics, visit the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.

For current statistics on the number of reported AIDS cases in North, Central, and South America, please contact the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) which is the regional office for the Americas of the World Health Organization at 525 23rd Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037, telephone: 202-861-4346.

Other international Web sites available are the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).




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