April 22, 2024

Fast Facts: HIV in the US by Age

While HIV affects all people in the United States, some age groups are especially affected. In 2021, people aged 13 to 34 accounted for more than half (58%) of estimated HIV infections. Get the latest data on HIV by age.

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Fast facts

HIV affects some groups more than others. Social and structural issues—such as HIV stigma, homophobia, discrimination, poverty, and limited access to high-quality health care—influence health outcomes and continue to drive inequities.

HIV incidence

HIV incidence refers to the estimated number of new HIV infections in a given year.

Estimated HIV infections in the US by age, 2021*

There were 32,100 estimated new HIV infections in the US in 2021. The age group with the most estimated new infections was 25 to 34, followed by 35 to 44, 13 to 24, 45 to 54, and 55 and older, respectively. The Ending the HIV Epidemic overall goal is to decrease the estimated number of new HIV infections by 9,300 by 2025 and 3,000 by 2030. — Learn more about estimated HIV infections in the US by age.

_{*Data not available for children aged 12 and under.}

_{Source: CDC. Estimated HIV incidence and prevalence in the United States, 2017–2021.HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report, 2023; 28(3).}

HIV diagnoses

HIV diagnoses refers to the number of people who received an HIV diagnosis during a given year.

HIV diagnoses in the US and dependent areas, 2021

In 2021, 36,136 people received an HIV diagnosis in the US and dependent areas. The Ending the HIV Epidemic overall goal is to decrease the number of new HIV diagnoses to 9,588 by 2025 and 3,000 by 2030. — Learn more about HIV diagnoses in the US and dependent areas.

_{*Children aged 12 and under accounted for 53 new HIV diagnoses in 2021.}

_{Source: CDC. Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2021.HIV Surveillance Report 2023;34.}

HIV diagnoses in the US and dependent areas by age, 2021

People aged 13 to 34 accounted for more than half of new HIV diagnoses in 2021. The age group with the next most new diagnoses was 35 to 44, followed by 13 to 24, 45 to 54, 55 and older, and 12 and under, respectively. — Learn more about HIV diagnoses in the US by age group.

_{Source: CDC. Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2021.HIV Surveillance Report 2023;34.}

HIV diagnoses in the US and dependent areas by sex and age, 2021*

HIV diagnoses in 2021 varied by sex and age. Men aged 25 to 34 had the most diagnoses, followed by men 13 to 24, 35 to 44, 45 to 54, and 55 and older, respectively. Women aged 25 to 34 had the most diagnoses, followed by women aged 35 to 44, 45 to 54, 55 and older, and 13 to 24, respectively. — Learn about differences in HIV diagnoses among men and women and by age group.

_{*Children aged 12 and under accounted for 53 new HIV diagnoses in 2021. Data not available by assigned sex at birth.}

_{^†Based on assigned sex at birth and includes transgender people.}

_{Source: CDC. Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2021.HIV Surveillance Report 2023;34.}

From 2017 to 2021, HIV diagnoses decreased 7% overall in the US and dependent areas. But trends varied for different age groups.

Trends in HIV diagnoses in the US and dependent areas by age, 2017-2021

Trends in HIV diagnoses varied by age from 2017 to 2021. Diagnoses fell the most for people aged 12 and under, followed by people aged 45 to 54 and 13 to 24, respectively. Diagnoses of people aged 25 to 34, 45 to 54, and 55 and older were stable during that period. — Learn more about trends in HIV diagnoses by age.

_{*Changes in subpopulations with fewer HIV diagnoses can lead to a large percentage increase or decrease.}

_{Source: CDC. Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2021.HIV Surveillance Report 2023;34.}

Knowledge of status

Knowledge of status refers to the estimated percentage of people with HIV who have received an HIV diagnosis.

Knowledge of HIV status in the US, 2021

In 2021, an estimated 1.2 million people had HIV. For every 100 people with HIV, 87 knew their status. The Ending the HIV Epidemic overall goal is to increase the estimated percentage of people with HIV who have received an HIV diagnosis to at least 95 percent by 2025 and remain at 95 percent by 2030. — Learn more about knowledge of HIV status among people with HIV in the US.

_{Source: CDC. Estimated HIV incidence and prevalence in the United States, 2017–2021.HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report, 2023; 28(3).}

Knowledge of HIV status in the US by age, 2021*

In 2021, knowledge of HIV status increased with age. For every 100 people with HIV aged 13 to 24, 56 knew their status. For every 100 people with HIV aged 25 to 34, 72 knew their status. For every 100 people with HIV aged 35 to 44, 85 knew their status. For every 100 people with HIV aged 45 to 54, 92 knew their status. For every 100 people with HIV aged 55 and older, 96 knew their status. — Learn more about age differences in knowledge of HIV status among people with HIV in US.

_{*Data not available for children aged 12 and under.}

_{Source: CDC. Estimated HIV incidence and prevalence in the United States, 2017–2021.HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report, 2023; 28(3).}

Behaviors associated with HIV transmission

The chances of getting or transmitting HIV varies widely depending on the type of exposure or behavior. Most commonly, people get or transmit HIV through anal or vaginal sex, or sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment—for example, cookers.

Sexual behaviors among people with diagnosed HIV in the US by age, 2020*

Getting and keeping an undetectable viral load is the best way for people with HIV to stay healthy and protect others. The percentage of people with HIV who had sex without using any HIV prevention strategy in the past 12 months was highest for people 25 to 34 years old, followed by people 35 to 44, 45 to 54, and 55 and older, respectively. — Learn about differences in sexual behaviors among people with diagnosed HIV by age group.

_{*Data not available for people aged 24 and under.}

_{^†Had sex while not virally suppressed with a partner whose HIV status was negative or unknown, a condom was not used, and the partner was not taking PrEP.}

_{Source: CDC. Behavioral and clinical characteristics of persons with diagnosed HIV infection—Medical Monitoring Project, United States 2020 cycle (June 2020–May 2021). HIV Surveillance Special Report 2022;29.}

Injection behaviors among people who inject drugs (PWID) in 23 US cities by age, 2018^*†

One third of PWID without HIV used a syringe after someone else used it and more than half of PWID without HIV used any injection equipment after someone else used it in the past 12 months. The percentage of PWID without HIV who used a syringe after someone else used it in the past 12 months by age was highest for people aged 18 to 24, followed by people aged 25 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, and 50 and older, respectively. Similarly, the percentage of PWID without HIV who used any injection equipment after someone else used it in the past 12 months by age was highest for people aged 18 to 24, followed by people aged 25 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, and 50 and older, respectively. — Learn more about differences in injection behaviors among PWID without HIV by age group.

_{*Data not available for people aged 17 and under.}

_{^†Among PWID without HIV.}

_{Source: CDC. HIV infection risk, prevention, and testing behaviors among persons who inject drugs—National HIV Behavioral Surveillance: injection drug use, 23 U.S. Cities, 2018. HIV Surveillance Special Report 2020;24.}

PrEP coverage

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) coverage refers to the estimated percentage of people with indications for PrEP classified as having been prescribed PrEP.

PrEP coverage in the US by age, 2021^*†

More work is needed to ensure equitable prescribing of PrEP. Overall, only 30 percent of people who could benefit from PrEP were prescribed PrEP in 2021. People aged 35 to 44 were prescribed PrEP most often, followed by people aged 25 to 34, 55 and older, 45 to 54, and 16 to 24, respectively. The Ending the HIV Epidemic overall goal is to increase the estimated percentage of people with indications for PrEP classified as having been prescribed PrEP to at least 50 percent by 2025 and remain at 50 percent by 2023. — Learn more about differences in PrEP coverage in the US by age group.

_{*PrEP coverage is the estimated percentage of people with indications for PrEP classified as having been prescribed PrEP.}

_{^†Data not available for people aged 15 and under.}

_{Source: CDC. Monitoring selected national HIV prevention and care objectives by using HIV surveillance data—United States and 6 dependent areas, 2021. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2023;28(4).}

Viral suppression and barriers to care

Viral suppression refers to the percentage of people with diagnosed HIV who have less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood.

HIV care continuum among people with diagnosed HIV in 47 states and the District of Columbia, 2021*

More than half of people with diagnosed HIV are virally suppressed. For every 100 people overall with diagnosed HIV, 75 received some HIV care, 54 were retained in care, and 66 were virally suppressed. The Ending the HIV Epidemic overall goal is to increase the percentage of people with diagnosed HIV who are virally suppressed to at least 95 percent by 2025 and remain at 95 percent by 2030. — Learn more about HIV care and viral suppression among people with diagnosed HIV in the US.

_{*Data not available for children aged 12 and under.}

_{^†At least 1 viral load or CD4 test.}

_{^‡Had 2 viral load or CD4 tests at least 3 months apart in a year.}

_{**Based on most recent viral load test.}

HIV care continuum among people with diagnosed HIV in 47 states and the District of Columbia by age, 2021*

For every 100 people with diagnosed HIV aged 13 to 24, 80 received some HIV care, 55 were retained in care, and 65 were virally suppressed. For every 100 people with diagnosed HIV aged 25 to 34, 77 received some HIV care, 52 were retained in care, and 64 were virally suppressed. For every 100 people with diagnosed HIV aged 35 to 44, 75 received some HIV care, 52 were retained in care, and 64 were virally suppressed. For every 100 people with diagnosed HIV aged 45 to 54, 75 received some HIV care, 54 were retained in care, and 66 were virally suppressed. For every 100 people with diagnosed HIV aged 55 and older, 74 received some HIV care, 56 were retained in care, and 68 were virally suppressed. — Learn more about age differences in HIV care and viral suppression among people with diagnosed HIV.

_{*Data not available for children aged 12 and under.}

_{^†At least 1 viral load or CD4 test.}

_{^‡Had 2 viral load or CD4 tests at least 3 months apart in a year.}

_{**Based on most recent viral load test.}

Many people with HIV experience challenges with achieving and maintaining viral suppression over time. Some of these challenges include missing HIV medical appointments, needing but not receiving other important health care services, or missing doses of HIV treatment.

Median HIV stigma score among people with diagnosed HIV in the US by age, 2020*

HIV stigma is highest among young people and decreases as people with HIV get older. People aged 18 to 24 experienced the most stigma (with a score of 44), followed by people aged 25 to 34 (with a score of 42), 35 to 44 (with a score of 30), 45 to 54 (with a score of 29), and 55 and older (with a score of 25), respectively. On a scale of 1 to 100, 100 represents high HIV stigma and 0 represents no HIV stigma, and the goal is 0 for all populations. — Learn more about differences in HIV stigma experienced by people with diagnosed HIV by age.

_{Median HIV stigma scores are presented based on a ten-item scale ranging from 0 (no stigma) to 100 (high stigma) that measures personalized stigma during the past 12 months, current disclosure concerns, current negative self-image, and current perceived public attitudes about people with HIV.}

_{*Data not available for people aged 17 and under.}

Self-rated health among people with diagnosed HIV in the US by age, 2020*

Ratings of overall health declined with age. People with HIV who rated their overall health as good or better by age was highest for people 18 to 24 year of age, followed by people 25 to 34, 35 to 44, and 45 years of age and older, respectively. — Learn about differences in self-rated health among people with diagnosed HIV in the US by age.

_{*Data not available for people aged 17 and under.}

_{^†Good or better self-rated health is defined as rating one's health as good, very good, or excellent (as opposed to poor or fair) at the time of interview.}

_{Source: CDC. Quality of life and HIV stigma—Indicators for the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, 2022–2025, CDC Medical Monitoring Project, 2017–2020 cycles. HIV Surveillance Special Report 2022;30.}

Unmet need for services from a mental health professional among people with diagnosed HIV in the US by age, 2020*^†

Unmet needs for mental health services declined with age. People with HIV who reported needing, but not receiving mental health services in the past 12 months was highest for people aged 25 to 34, followed by people 35 to 44, 45 to 54, and 55 and older, respectively. — Learn about differences in unmet needs for mental health services by age group.

_{*Data not available for people aged 24 and under.}

_{^†Among people with diagnosed HIV who reported an unmet need for mental health services in the past 12 months.}

Food insecurity, unemployment, and unstable housing among people with diagnosed HIV in the US by age, 2020*

Food insecurity, unemployment, and unstable housing or homelessness can make it difficult for people with HIV to access HIV-related care and maintain viral suppression. 34, 30, and 29 percent of people aged 18 to 24 reported unemployment, homelessness or unstable housing, and food insecurity in the past 12 months, respectively. 33, 27, and 23 percent of people aged 25 to 34 reported homelessness or unstable housing, unemployment, and food insecurity in the past 12 months, respectively. 21, 21, and 16 percent of people aged 35 to 44 reported homelessness or unstable housing, unemployment, and food insecurity in the past 12 months, respectively. 20, 18, and 16 percent of people aged 45 to 54 reported unemployment, food insecurity, and homelessness or unstable housing in the past 12 months, respectively. 12, 11, and 10 percent of people aged 55 and older reported food insecurity, unemployment, and homelessness or unstable housing in the past 12 months, respectively. — Learn more about food insecurity, unemployment, and unstable housing among people with diagnosed HIV by age group.

_{*Data not available for people aged 17 and under.}

April 22, 2024

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Content Source:

HIV; National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention

Fast Facts: HIV in the US by Age

At a glance

Fast facts

HIV incidence

Estimated HIV infections in the US by age, 2021*

HIV diagnoses

HIV diagnoses in the US and dependent areas, 2021

HIV diagnoses in the US and dependent areas by age, 2021

HIV diagnoses in the US and dependent areas by sex and age, 2021*

Trends in HIV diagnoses in the US and dependent areas by age, 2017-2021

Knowledge of status

Knowledge of HIV status in the US, 2021

Knowledge of HIV status in the US by age, 2021*

Behaviors associated with HIV transmission

Sexual behaviors among people with diagnosed HIV in the US by age, 2020*

Injection behaviors among people who inject drugs (PWID) in 23 US cities by age, 2018*†

PrEP coverage

PrEP coverage in the US by age, 2021*†

Viral suppression and barriers to care

HIV care continuum among people with diagnosed HIV in 47 states and the District of Columbia, 2021*

HIV care continuum among people with diagnosed HIV in 47 states and the District of Columbia by age, 2021*

Median HIV stigma score among people with diagnosed HIV in the US by age, 2020*

Self-rated health among people with diagnosed HIV in the US by age, 2020*

Unmet need for services from a mental health professional among people with diagnosed HIV in the US by age, 2020*†

Food insecurity, unemployment, and unstable housing among people with diagnosed HIV in the US by age, 2020*

HIV

Injection behaviors among people who inject drugs (PWID) in 23 US cities by age, 2018^*†

PrEP coverage in the US by age, 2021^*†

Unmet need for services from a mental health professional among people with diagnosed HIV in the US by age, 2020*^†