U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service: The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives
IHS HIV/AIDS Program

Epidemiology: CDC Fact Sheet

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HIV/AIDS is a growing problem among American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Even though the numbers of HIV and AIDS diagnoses for American Indians and Alaska Natives represent less than 1% of the total number of HIV/AIDS cases reported to CDC’s HIV/AIDS Reporting System, when population size is taken into account, American Indians and Alaska Natives in 2005 ranked 3rd in rates of HIV/AIDS diagnosis, after African Americans and Hispanics [1]. American Indians and Alaska Natives make up 1.5% (4.1 million people) of the total US population [2]. The rate of AIDS diagnosis for this group has been higher than that for whites since 1995.

Statistics

HIV/AIDS in 2005
(The following bullets refer to the 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting. See the box, before the References section, for a list of the 33 states.)

  • HIV/AIDS was diagnosed for an estimated 198 American Indians and Alaska Natives (adults, adolescents, and children), representing 0.5% of the total number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses reported for that year [1].
  • The rate (per 100,000 persons) of HIV/AIDS diagnosis for American Indians and Alaska Natives was 10.6, compared with 72.8 for African Americans, 28.5 for Hispanics, 9.0 for whites, and 7.6 for Asians and Pacific Islanders.
  • Women accounted for 29% of the HIV/AIDS diagnoses among American Indians and Alaska Natives [1].
  • From the beginning of the epidemic through 2005, AIDS was diagnosed for an estimated 3,251 American Indians and Alaska Natives [1].
  • From the beginning of the epidemic through 2005, an estimated 1,657 American Indians and Alaska Natives with AIDS had died [1]. In comparison, 235,879 whites, 211,559 African Americans, 77,125 Hispanics, and 3,383 Asians and Pacific Islanders with AIDS had died.
  • Of persons who had received a diagnosis of AIDS during 1997– 2004, American Indians and Alaska Natives had survived for a shorter time than had Asians and Pacific Islanders, whites, or Hispanics. After 9 years, 67% of American Indians and Alaska Natives were alive, compared with 66% of African Americans, 74% of Hispanics, 75% of whites, and 81% of Asians and Pacific Islanders [1].
  • From the beginning of the epidemic through 2005, AIDS had been diagnosed for an estimated 32 American Indian and Alaska Native children (younger than 13 years) [1].

Race/ethnicity of persons (including children) with HIV/AIDS diagnosed during 2005

No. = 38,096 African American: 49% White: 31% Hispanic: 18% Asian/Pacific Islander: 1% American Indian/Alaska Native: <1%

Note. Based on data from 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting.

Transmission categories for American Indian and Alaska Native adults and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2005

Males No. = 1,481 Male-to-Male Sexual Contact: 61% Injection Drug Use: 15% High-risk Heterosexual Contact: 10% Male-to-Male Sexual Contact and Injection Drug Use: 13% Other: 1%

Note. Based on data from 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting.

Transmission categories for American Indian and Alaska Native adults and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2005

Females No. = 559 High-risk Heterosexual Contact: 68% Injection Drug Use: 29% Other: 2%

Note. Based on data from 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting.

References
Refer to the Fact Sheet PDF PDF - 693KB

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