Below is a list of HIV/AIDS facts that reflect the most current statistics both in the United States and San Francisco. The national data was derived from a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Cases of HIV Infection and AIDS in the United States, 2004." The local data is from the San Francisco Department of Public Health "HIV/AIDS Epidemiology Annual Report 2005."

HIV/AIDS is Still a Problem in the USA and San Francisco

USA:

1. CDC estimates 25% of approximately 1-1.2 million HIV+ Americans are unaware of their infection — yet, data suggests that being aware of one’s HIV infection reduces HIV transmission risks by about 68%
2. There are persistent high numbers of new HIV/AIDS cases per year — in 2004, there were 38,730 new HIV/AIDS cases in the 33 reporting states

San Francisco:

1. HIV incidence is still high in San Francisco — increased from 1995 – 2001, stable since then, but with an unacceptably high number of new infections each year (just under 1000 new cases/year).

USA:

1. HIV is the 3rd most common cause of death in blacks ages 35-54 years (heart disease and cancer), 4th most common in ages 25-34 years
2. AIDS is disproportionate in African Americans — in 2004, Blacks accounted for 49% AIDS cases vs. 20% Latino and 28% Whites
3. Black MSM (men who have sex with men) do worse with HIV testing compared to other MSM — in the National Behavioral Surveillance Survey, HIV prevalence was highest among Black MSM (46% vs. 21% and less for Whites and other ethnic groups) AND 67% of black MSM were unaware of their HIV infection (vs. 46% Latino and 18% whites)

San Francisco:

1. HIV is 2nd most common cause of death in black men in San Francisco
2. Cumulative San Francisco AIDS cases disproportionate in Blacks (13% in San Francisco, 18% CA, 39% USA)
3. San Francisco Blacks with AIDS do worse — in 2005, estimated deaths in persons with AIDS was 28% for Blacks i.e. 3 out of 10 deaths (who represented 14% AIDS cases)
4. In San Francisco MSM is highest risk group, Black MSM had less HIV medical services – among survey of 492 MSM (men who have sex with men) in 2002, 58% Black MSM received HIV medications within past 12 months compared to 70% Latinos, and 80% Caucasians.
5. San Francisco MSM had a high prevalence of HIV – in the National Behavioral Surveillance Survey, African-American MSM had the highest HIV prevalence (31.8%), followed by whites (26.3%), Latinos (23.1%) and Asians (10.0%). Paradoxically, the prevalence of many risk behaviors of African-American MSM in the survey tends to be the lowest of all racial groups
6. Late HIV testing most common among people of color and recent immigrants

HIV/AIDS Care is Increasingly Complex
Patients living longer and experiencing the complications of aging that are exacerbated by HIV and/or HIV treatments e.g. male osteopenia, CAD, liver disease

USA:

1. Hepatic/liver disease was the only reported cause of death for which absolute rates increased over time, albeit not significantly, from 0.09/100 person-years in 1996 to 0.16/100 person-years in 2004 (P=0.10).
2. The percentage of deaths due exclusively to non-AIDS-defining illnesses rose from 13.1% in 1996 to 42.5% in 2004 (P<0.001 for trend), the most frequent of which were cardiovascular, hepatic, and pulmonary disease, and non-AIDS malignancies in 2004 (Palella FJ; Baker RK; Moorman AC; Chmiel JS; Wood KC; Brooks JT; Holmberg SD in J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr.  2006; 43(1):27-34 ).