Online-only: HIV on the rise among young gay and bisexual men
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* Teddi Dineley Johnson

Overall, the number of new HIV infections in the United States has stabilized, according to new federal estimates. But for young gay men, the number of new infections is on the rise, driven by an “alarming” increase in the rate of infection among young black men who have sex with men.

Published online in August in the journal *Public Library of Science One*, the estimates show new HIV infections in the United States remained relatively stable between 2006 and 2009, with about 50,000 new cases each year. But for young gay men of all races, the number of new infections increased during that time period. Though men who have sex with men represent only 2 percent of the U.S. population, they accounted for 61 percent of all new HIV infections in 2009.

According to the data, young gay men ages 13 to 29 are most severely affected by HIV and accounted for more than 25 percent of all new HIV infections nationally during the study period. But young black men who have sex with men were the only group to experience a statistically significant increase in new infections between 2006 and 2009. Based on the first multi-year estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s national HIV incidence surveillance, the data show new HIV infections among young, black gay men increased 48 percent from 2006 to 2009.

“We are deeply concerned by the alarming rise in new HIV infections in young, black gay and bisexual men and the continued impact of HIV among young gay and bisexual men of all races,” Jonathan Mermin, MD, director of CDC’s Division of HIV-AIDS Prevention, said in a statement releasing the data. “We cannot allow the health of a new generation of gay men to be lost to a preventable disease. It’s time to renew the focus on HIV among gay men and confront the homophobia and stigma that all too often accompany this disease.”

According to CDC, several factors may be driving the trend, including higher numbers of young, black gay men who are unaware of their infection and the stigma of HIV and homosexuality, which can hinder uptake of HIV prevention services. Other factors include limited access to health care, HIV testing and treatment; increased likelihood of having older sexual partners who are more likely to be HIV infected; and higher rates of some sexually transmitted diseases among young black men, which can facilitate HIV transmission. Under-estimating personal risk for acquiring HIV can also play a role.

In addition to the gay population, minorities are also disproportionately affected by the epidemic. Overall, during each of the years studied, black males had the highest rate of new infections. For example, blacks represent only 14 percent of the total U.S. population, but accounted for 44 percent of new HIV infections in 2009. The rate of HIV infection among blacks in 2009 was nearly eight times as high as that of whites. And while Hispanics represent only 16 percent of the total U.S. population, they accounted for 20 percent of new HIV infections in 2009 and suffered an infection rate that was almost three times as high as that of whites.

Among women, black women also experienced the highest HIV incidence rates. However, from 2006 to 2009, there were no statistically significant changes in HIV incidence among black men and women and Hispanic men and women.

“HIV infections can be prevented,” said CDC Director Thomas Frieden, MD, MPH. “By getting tested, reducing risky behaviors and getting treatment, people can protect themselves and their loved ones.”

For more information or to access the data, visit [www.cdc.gov](http://www.cdc.gov).

*   Copyright The Nation’s Health, American Public Health Association