May 23 (UPI) — New statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released on Tuesday indicate that young people are making a significant impact on the overall reduction of HIV infections nationwide. The spread of the disease among gay and bisexual men is slowing down thanks to this trend.
The CDC reported a 34% decrease in HIV infections among individuals aged 13 to 24. Specifically, annual HIV infections in this age group dropped from 9,300 in 2017 to 6,100 in 2021.
The number of new infections among young gay and bisexual males, who account for approximately 80% of all new infections, decreased from 7,400 to an estimated 4,900.
CDC researchers emphasize the need for a faster decline in these statistics in order to put an end to the HIV epidemic.
Overall, the CDC reported a 12% reduction in estimated annual new HIV infections in 2021 compared to 2017, decreasing from approximately 36,500 infections to about 32,100.
“Our nation’s HIV prevention efforts are moving in the right direction,” stated outgoing CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky. “However, there are persistent factors such as systemic inequities, social and economic marginalization, and residential segregation that hinder the effective implementation of HIV treatment and prevention in vulnerable populations. We need to accelerate and strengthen our efforts to achieve progress equitably and quickly across all groups.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, CDC data revealed significant declines in HIV testing and diagnosis from 2019 to 2020. These declines were attributed to disruptions in clinical care and community services, reduced access to clinical services, and a shift of public health staff to focus on the COVID-19 response, leading to reductions in partner services and testing.
The CDC has implemented a plan that focuses on treatment and prevention, aiming to reduce HIV infections by 75% by 2025 and 90% by 2030.
As of 2019, approximately 1.2 million people in the United States were living with HIV.
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