Key Facts
- The first cases of what would later become known as AIDS were reported in the United States in June of 1981.1 Today, there are more than 1.1 million people living with HIV and more than 700,000 people with AIDS have died since the beginning of the epidemic.2,3,4
- HIV continues to have a disproportionate impact on certain populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities and gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men. 5,6
- HIV testing is important for both treatment and prevention efforts. Yet, 15% of those infected with HIV are unaware they are infected.7
- Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has substantially reduced AIDS-related morbidity and mortality and improved long-term outcomes for people with HIV. Treatment guidelines recommend initiating treatment as soon as one is diagnosed with HIV.8 According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when an individual living with HIV is on antiretroviral therapy and the level of HIV in their body is undetectable, there is “effectively no risk” of sexual transmission.9 Still, many people with HIV are not in care, on treatment, or have their virus under control.10
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- Numerous federal and local government departments and agencies are involved in the domestic HIV/AIDS response, which together provide disease surveillance, prevention, care, support services, and health insurance coverage. Additionally, the private sector and community-based organizations, provide services for people with HIV and those at risk for HIV.
