This week, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its annual report,
HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report-Cases of HIV Infection and AIDS in the United
States and Dependent Areas, 2006 Vol. 18. This report presents data for
cases of HIV infection and AIDS reported to CDC through June 2007. We
recognize this report is being issued later than normal in the data cycle,
due to unavoidable delays. We appreciate your patience and support as we
transition to a new electronic HIV/AIDS reporting system.
This report contains estimated numbers of cases of HIV/AIDS from the 38
areas (33 states and 5 dependent areas) that have had confidential
name-based HIV infection reporting since at least 2003. According to the
number of reported AIDS cases, these 33 states represent approximately 63%
of the epidemic in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The 2006 HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report is organized into 5 sections: (1)
cases of HIV/AIDS and AIDS, (2) deaths of persons with AIDS, (3) persons
living with HIV/AIDS, AIDS, or HIV infection (not AIDS), (4) length of
survival after AIDS diagnosis, and (5) reports of cases of HIV/AIDS, AIDS,
and HIV infection (not AIDS).
Key conclusions of this report include
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African Americans
and gay and bisexual men of all races continue to be most severely
affected.
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From 2003 through
2006, the estimated number of HIV/AIDS cases in the 33 states with
confidential name-based HIV infection reporting remained stable.
-
From 2002 through
2006, the estimated number of newly diagnosed AIDS cases in the 50 states
and the District of Columbia remained stable, while the estimated number of
deaths of persons with AIDS decreased.
Although the total number of new cases of HIV/AIDS remained stable, HIV
prevalence (i.e., the number of persons living with HIV/AIDS) increased
steadily from 2003 through 2006. It is important to note that HIV prevalence
differs from HIV incidence, which reflects the annual number of new HIV
infections each year. CDC is currently working with states to implement the
first national system for estimating HIV incidence based on direct
measurement of new HIV
infections that will provide a critical missing piece in tracking the U.S.
epidemic. In addition, data from this new system, when available, will
provide the clearest picture to date of HIV infections in the U.S. and, over
time, will allow us to better target prevention efforts and measure progress
in populations at highest risk.
In the interim, data on estimated HIV diagnoses provide the best indication
of the impact of the epidemic. It is important to note that estimated HIV
diagnoses do not necessarily represent new infections. This is because some
individuals with new HIV diagnoses were infected recently, while others were
infected many years ago.
Also please note that Table 16 contains data on reported cases of HIV
infection. The table titled "Reported cases of HIV infection (not AIDS), by
area of residence, 2006 and cumulative-45 states and 5 U.S. dependent areas
with confidential name-based HIV infection reporting" reflects an increase
in the number of states with confidential name-based HIV infection reporting
from 2005 to 2006. These data do not represent an increase in estimated HIV
diagnoses or HIV incidence. In 2005, CDC received reported cases of HIV
infection from 38 states and 5 dependent areas. In 2006, CDC received
reported cases of HIV infection from 45 states and 5 dependent areas. This
increase in the number of states reporting has resulted in an increase in
the number of reported cases of HIV from 35,537 in 2005 to 52,878 in 2006.
This HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report confirms that more than 25 years into the
AIDS epidemic, HIV continues to exact a tremendous toll in the United
States. While the total number of new cases of HIV/AIDS remained stable
through 2006, certain populations remain disproportionately affected such as
African Americans and gay and bisexual men of all races. While the 2006
analysis has not yet been finalized for young (aged 13-24) black men who
have sex with men, 2005 data suggest this population may be particularly
vulnerable, underscoring the need for expanded access to HIV prevention
services for everyone at risk. We hope this report will be useful to you as
we continue to work together to reduce the unacceptable burden of HIV/AIDS.
The HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report is available on the CDC HIV/AIDS Web site
at
www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/reports/2006report/pdf/2006SurveillanceReport.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/reports/2006report/pdf/2006SurveillanceReport.pdf
and fact sheet at
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/us.htm
Thank you for your continued commitment to HIV/AIDS prevention.
Robert S. Janssen, M.D.
Director,
Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention |
