Progress is being seen, but inequalities persist

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 1, 2021 (HealthDay News) – Some progress has been made in the US fight against HIV, with new infections among gay and bisexual men over the past decade. But their blacks and Spanish counterparts have not noticed this progress, health officials say.

Continuing inequalities are highlighted in a new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

From 2010 to 2019, the number of new HIV infections among white gays / bisexual men dropped from 7,500 to 5,100, but remained roughly the same among black gays / bisexual men (9,000 to 8,900) and increased among Hispanic gays. / bisexual men (6,800 to 7,900), the researchers found.

“Throughout my career, I have witnessed a transformation for those who live with and are at risk of HIV,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Valensky said in a statement.

“We have the scientific tools to end the HIV epidemic,” Valenski added. “But to achieve this goal, we must recognize that inequalities in access to care persist and are an injustice. We need to address the root causes of these continuing differences and make proven interventions for HIV prevention and treatment accessible to all. ”

Black and Hispanic gay / bisexual men are less likely to be diagnosed with HIV, viral suppression, or use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV than white gay / bisexual men, according to the CDC. Signs of life report.

For example, in 2019, researchers found that about 83% of blacks and 80% of Hispanic gay / bisexual Spaniards were diagnosed with HIV, compared to 90% of white men. About two-thirds of black or Hispanic gay / bisexual men diagnosed with HIV are viral, compared with three-quarters of white gay / bisexual men.

Unequal coverage of HIV prevention and treatment, higher levels of HIV in some communities and systemic inequalities are among the reasons for these racial differences, according to the report. It was launched in connection with World AIDS Day on Wednesday.

The stigma associated with HIV may also play a role. A nationally representative study of people diagnosed with HIV found that black and Hispanic gay / bisexual men were more likely than white gay / bisexual men to report HIV-related stigma.

The CDC is working with partners through a federal initiative called Ending the HIV Epidemic in the United States to reduce HIV infections by 90% by 2030.

More info

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information on the risks and prevention of HIV.

SOURCE: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, news release, November 30, 2021