2% of U.S. population, accounted for 61 % of new HIV infections in 2009.

[Danno 1,228]

HIV infections in U.S. stable but disparities exist

(Reuters) - The number of Americans newly infected with HIV remained stable between 2006 and 2009, but infections rose nearly 50 percent among young black gay and bisexual men, U.S. experts said on Wednesday.

New data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal progress since the peak of the HIV epidemic in the 1980s. But the sharp increases in infection rates among young black men who have sex with men show there is much more work to do, they said.

"We're very concerned about these increases among young gay men," Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of the CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, said in a telephone interview.

"We can't allow the health to a new generation to be lost to what is essentially a completely preventable disease."

According to the estimates, published in the journal PLoS ONE, there were 48,600 new HIV infections in the United States in 2006, 56,000 in 2007, 47,800 in 2008 and 48,100 in 2009. Over the four-year period, that amounts to an average of 50,000 cases per year.

But communities of color, and especially blacks, were disproportionately affected.

While blacks represent 14 percent of the U.S. population, they accounted for 44 percent of new HIV infections in 2009. HIV infection rates among blacks were nearly eight times higher than rates in whites, according to the study.

Hispanics, who represent about 16 percent of the population, accounted for 20 percent of new HIV infections in 2009 - a rate that was nearly three times as high as that of whites.

HARDEST HIT

Men who have sex with men - which includes openly gay and bisexual men and those who do not identify themselves as gay or bisexual - remain most heavily affected.

While this group represents 2 percent of the overall U.S. population, they accounted for 61 percent of all new HIV infections in 2009.

And young men who have sex with men - those aged 13 to 29 - are the hardest hit, accounting for more than one quarter of all new HIV infections nationally.

New HIV infections affected young men who have sex with men of all races, but the CDC saw very sharp increases among young black men who have sex with men.

"We saw increases of up to 48 percent - nearly a 50 percent increase between 2006 and 2009," Fenton said.

The reasons for this are not yet clear, he said, but the CDC said several factors are influencing this trend.

They said young black men who have sex with men are less aware of their infection status. They may encounter more homophobia than other groups, which could keep them from getting tested. They may have less access to treatment, and they have higher rates of other sexually transmitted diseases, which increases the risk of HIV transmission.

"HIV remains one of the most glaring health disparities in this country," Fenton said in a statement.

"While we all have individual responsibility to protect ourselves from HIV infection, the research clearly shows that individual risk behavior alone doesn't account for the significant racial disparities in HIV," he said.

"It is essential to understand the underlying factors that contribute to these disparities, such as poverty, discrimination and lack of access to health care."

To fight these increases, Fenton said the CDC will focus on areas where HIV infection is most heavily concentrated - among gay and bisexual men of all races, blacks and Hispanics, as outlined in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy introduced by the White House last summer.

The plan calls for better methods to gather data among affected populations and increased use of prevention tools, including earlier testing and treatment with drug cocktails that have been shown to reduce HIV transmission.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/03/us-usa-hiv-infections-idUSTRE7724SO20110803?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

CDC also said there were 18,000 homicides last year.

Anyway, are you disappointed that the disease seems contained? Or are you worried that "disco" is going to make a comeback?

[Zero Sum 305]

Danno is right. Where a lack of education is evident, HIV infection rates are higher. Maybe some people want these areas to be subject to this kind of population control? That is- if they can promote the HIV infection to turn to full-blown AIDS right?

[Danno 1,228]

Danno is right. Where a lack of education is evident, HIV infection rates are higher. Maybe some people want these areas to be subject to this kind of population control? That is- if they can promote the HIV infection to turn to full-blown AIDS right?

How did you determine this demographic has a lake of education?

From what I have read in the past, Homosexuals tend to be better educated than the average person.

[Robert&Liliya 31]

Or are you worried that "disco" is going to make a comeback?

This scares the ####### out of me.

[Danno 1,228]

CDC also said there were 18,000 homicides last year.

Anyway, are you disappointed that the disease seems contained? Or are you worried that "disco" is going to make a comeback?

-Thankfully Disco does not seem to be making a rebound... so no need to worry.

-It's always better when a disease is somewhat contained within a certain behavior, one need only avoid the behavior to minimize risk of exposure.

[웃 910]

-Thankfully Disco does not seem to be making a rebound... so no need to worry.

-It's always better when a disease is somewhat contained within a certain behavior, one need only avoid the behavior to minimize risk of exposure.

-Nice posting style!

[slim 1,514]

Does anyone really think the same demographic keeps messing up because they're not educated enough? How much money is it going to take to prove to the rest of us they know basic things about life?

I keep hearing over, and over, and over that it's a problem of education. I beg to differ.

[Danno 1,228]

Does anyone really think the same demographic keeps messing up because they're not educated enough? How much money is it going to take to prove to the rest of us they know basic things about life?

I keep hearing over, and over, and over that it's a problem of education. I beg to differ.

The DWL (disingenuous white liberal) always clings to the hope of education as the answer (to so many of these problems) because without that.... there seems to be no answer...... and that is an unacceptable conclusion.

Even when all dollars are exhausted... and all efforts fail: Education still holds the key, if we will just do it more effectively.

[Robert&Liliya 31]

Educational Post – Do what you want to do….It’s your life but good god if you do not know 100% where it has been use a stinking condom. – That will be $39.95 for the education.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Danno is right. Where a lack of education is evident, HIV infection rates are higher. Maybe some people want these areas to be subject to this kind of population control? That is- if they can promote the HIV infection to turn to full-blown AIDS right?

Every public school in the US teaches sex ed. So what's your point? Do you think they aren't teaching about what can happen if you don't use a condom? Hello ?

[Zero Sum 305]

How did you determine this demographic has a lake of education?

From what I have read in the past, Homosexuals tend to be better educated than the average person.

Apologies- I was referring directly to poor folk, mainly black and Hispanic from places where education, and sex education, is obviously not very strong.

Perhaps with gay marriage you'd see more monogamous relationships, equating to less promiscuity.

[Zero Sum 305]

Every public school in the US teaches sex ed. So what's your point? Do you think they aren't teaching about what can happen if you don't use a condom? Hello ?

Try again, in reality next time.

[Niels Bohr 72]

What this news doesn't teach people about is that having vaginal sex doesn't always transmit HIV. However, having sex in the rectum will completely transmit HIV. Reason being is there is blood in the stool.

[Danno 1,228]

Apologies- I was referring directly to poor folk, mainly black and Hispanic from places where education, and sex education, is obviously not very strong.

Perhaps with gay marriage you'd see more monogamous relationships, equating to less promiscuity.

What do you base this assumption on?

Of all the activity that leads to the infectious spread of AIDS, do you really think the few who seek marriage (and remain exclusive) will put a dent in the overall amount of risky behavior taking place?

Pardon me but you are wadding into "wishful thinking", IMO.