HIV/AIDS Facts
The first cases of what would become known as AIDS were reported in the United States in June of 1981. Since that time, almost 1.5 million people in the US have been infected with HIV, including more than 500,000 who have already died and another 850,000 - 950,000 who are estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS.
Each year, an estimated 40,000 new HIV infections occur in the US.
AIDS cases have been concentrated largely in urban areas.
The South is showing a dramatic rise in the estimated number of people living with AIDS.
Treatment advances have led to a dramatic decline in HIV related deaths but HIV remains one of the leading causes of death among Americans.
Women account for a growing proportion of new AIDS cases. More than two-thirds (68%) of estimated new AIDS diagnoses among women are due to heterosexual contact and 29% to injection drug use.
Black women are particularly affected, accounting for 64% of estimated new HIV infections among women. Latinas account for 18%.
Young women and young minority Americans have been particularly affected, with teen girls representing more than half (56%) of reported HIV cases among those aged 13-19. Young Black Americans represented 61% of new AIDS cases among 13-19 year olds and Latinos represented 21% in this age group. Most young people are infected through sex.
Facts provided by Kaiser Family Foundation: www.KFF.org.
Of the 14,000 New infections that occur each day worldwide, half are among 15-to 24-year-olds. 56% of these are black. There is no cure for HIV/AIDS, but it can be prevented!
TO LEARN MORE, VISIT:
www.macaidsfund.org
www.aidshealth.org
www.blackaids.org
www.angelfood.org