THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
In 2021 1.08 million people were infected with HIV in the USA out of a total population of 333 million. In 2021 there were more than 36000 new HIV diagnoses and 19982 people with HIV died. Most HIV infected people are men (76.9%). Of these 75% contracted the virus through sexual contact with another man. Although the black population makes up only 12.6% of the total they form the largest part of the HIV population. 39.6% of all HIV infected are black 24.6% are Hispanic and 28.5% are white.
Compared to most countries in Western Europe but also to several African countries a large percentage of people only reach out to health care at the AIDS stage (21%). It fits in with the general picture that the reach out to care is lower than one might expect.
Only 75% of all HIV infected people received the necessary HIV care and treatment in 2021. As a result only 66% of the entire HIV population has an undetectable status. Where the official UN target is to achieve the 90-90-90* the USA is lagging far behind.
Various reasons are given for this lower outreach by the HIV population. For example in the USA there is a national policy that each of the 50 states self-determines their policy regarding healthcare. Poverty discrimination stigmatization of the HIV community and healthcare that is sometimes difficult to reach nd therefore difficult to access are other factors hat play a role.
On the positive side the use of PrEP is increasing year after year. In 2022 more than 435000 people used this.
(Source: AIDSvu an interactive online mapping tool)
HOPE COMES AND GOES
We know about the big gay community in San Francisco that’s been struck so hard by HIV and AIDS. But HIV doesn’t discriminate. Men ánd woman got infected.
Patti her story is about how deep you can fall and how much character it takes to get back on your feet again. Patti succeeded in taking back her life the moment it seemed lost forever.
She’s an courageous and courageous women.
