In August 2008, CDC published the first national HIV incidence (new infections) estimates using new technology and methodology that more directly measure the number of new HIV infections in the United Sates. The first analyses, published in the August 6, 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), showed that in 2006, an estimated 56,300 new HIV infections occurred - a number that is substantially higher than the previous estimate of 40,000 annual new infections.
It should be noted that the new incidence estimate does not represent an actual increase in the numbers of HIV infections, but reflects a more accurate way of measuring new infections. A separate CDC historical trend analysis published as part of this first analysis suggests that the annual number of new infections was never as low as 40,000 and that it has been roughly stable since the late 1990s.
The analyses published in the JAMA article are the first of many that will be published using data from this new system. Visit this site often to monitor emerging information on HIV incidence in the United States.
Podcast: MMWR Article Provides Additional Detail About HIV Incidence in the United States
This podcast explores a more in-depth look at HIV incidence in specific U.S. populations, with detailed breakdowns of new HIV infections by race, gender, route of transmission, and age. Speaker: Dr. Rich Wolitski, Acting Director, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, CDC
Resources on “Estimation of HIV Incidence in the United States.” JAMA, August 6, 2008;300:520
Estimation of HIV Incidence in the United States
Hall HI, Song R, Rhodes P, Prejean J, An Q, Lee LM, Karon J, Brookmeyer R, Kaplan EH, McKenna MT, Janssen RS for the HIV Incidence Surveillance Group. Estimation of HIV Incidence in the United States. JAMA, August 6, 2008;300(5):520
Podcast: A Sentinel Event: CDC Releases New HIV Incidence Estimates for the United States
This briefing highlights our nation's new HIV incidence estimates, explains their significance, and confirms populations most severely impacted by HIV and AIDS. Speakers: Dr. Kevin Fenton, Director, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC; Dr. Rich Wolitski, Acting Director, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, CDC
It should be noted that the new incidence estimate does not represent an actual increase in the numbers of HIV infections, but reflects a more accurate way of measuring new infections. A separate CDC historical trend analysis published as part of this first analysis suggests that the annual number of new infections was never as low as 40,000 and that it has been roughly stable since the late 1990s.
The analyses published in the JAMA article are the first of many that will be published using data from this new system. Visit this site often to monitor emerging information on HIV incidence in the United States.
