Embargoed Until:
August 3, 2008,
11:00 a.m. EDT /
10:00 a.m. CDT |
Contact:
National Center for HIV/AIDS,
Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
(404) 639-8895 |
New Technology Reveals Higher Number of New HIV Infections
in the United States than Previously Known
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
announced today that an estimated 56,300 HIV infections occurred in the
United States in 2006. That estimate differs from the agency's previous
estimate of 40,000 because CDC is now using a more precise method for
estimating annual HIV incidence, which is the number of individuals who
become newly infected with HIV in a given year. The new estimate is
published today in a special HIV/AIDS issue of the
Journal of the
American Medical Association, released at the XVII International
AIDS Conference in Mexico City.
"These data, which are based on new laboratory
technology developed by CDC, provide the clearest picture to date of the
U.S. HIV epidemic, and unfortunately we are far from winning the battle
against this preventable disease," said CDC Director Dr. Julie
Gerberding. "We as a nation have to come together to focus our efforts
on expanding the prevention programs we know are effective."
The new estimate is derived from the first national
surveillance system of its kind that is based on direct measurement of
new HIV infections and builds on a new laboratory test (the BED HIV-1
Capture Enzyme Immunoassay) that can distinguish recent from
long-standing HIV infections. CDC’s prior annual HIV incidence estimate
was based on indirect and less precise methods available at the time.
A separate CDC historical trend analysis published as
part of today’s study suggests that the number of new infections was
likely never as low as the previous estimate of 40,000 and has been
roughly stable overall since the late 1990s.
"It’s important to note that the new estimate does not
represent an actual increase in the number of new infections, but
reflects our ability to more precisely measure HIV incidence and secure
a better understanding of the epidemic," said Kevin Fenton, M.D.,
director of CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD,
and TB Prevention. "This new picture reveals that the HIV epidemic is –
and has been – worse than previously known and
underscores the challenges in confronting this disease."
Burden Greatest Among Gay and Bisexual Men of All Races
and African Americanss
"Too many Americans continue to be affected by this
disease," stressed Fenton. "These new findings emphasize the importance
of reaching all HIV-infected individuals and those at risk with
effective prevention programs.";
Separate Trend Analysis Sheds New Light on History of
U.S. Epidemic
In addition to the 2006 HIV incidence estimates, CDC
conducted a separate, historical analysis that provides new insight into
HIV incidence trends over time – overall and for specific populations.
Results confirm dramatic declines in the number of new HIV infections
from a peak of about 130,000 in the mid-1980s to a low of roughly 50,000
annual infections in the early 1990s. However, findings also indicate
that new infections increased in the late 1990s, but have remained
roughly stable since that time (with estimates ranging between 55,000
and 58,500 during the three most recent time periods analyzed).
The analysis revealed some other encouraging signs of
progress as well as significant challenges among specific groups.
Findings indicated reductions in new infections among both injecting
drug users and heterosexuals over time. Yet, the findings also indicate
that HIV incidence has been steadily increasing among gay and bisexual
men since the early 1990s, confirming a trend suggested by other data
showing increases in risk behavior, sexually transmitted diseases and
HIV diagnoses in this population throughout the past decade. The
analysis also found that new infections among blacks are at a higher
level than any other racial or ethnic group, though they have been
roughly stable, with some fluctuation, since the early 1990s.
"These data confirm the critical need to revitalize
prevention efforts for gay and bisexual men of all races and to build
upon the growing momentum in the African American and Hispanic
communities to confront HIV," said Wolitski. "We must all remember that
we are dealing with one of the most insidious infectious diseases in
history. Reducing this threat will require action from everyone –
individuals at risk, community leaders, government agencies and the
private sector."
For more information on HIV prevention, visit
www.cdc.gov/hiv or
www.aids.gov.
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Estimation of HIV Incidence in the United States
Hall HI, Song R, Rhodes P, Prejean J, An Q, Lee LM, Karon J,
Brookmeyer R, Kaplan EH, McKenna MT, Janssen RS for the HIV
Incidence Surveillance Group. Estimation of HIV Incidence in the
United States. JAMA, August 6, 2008;300(5):520 |
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