At a glance
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.
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*
*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
*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
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*
*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
*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
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*
*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*
*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*†
*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*†
*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*
*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.
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).
HIV care continuum among people with diagnosed HIV in 47 states and the District of Columbia by age, 2021*
*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.
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).
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*
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.
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.
Self-rated health among people with diagnosed HIV in the US by age, 2020*
*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*†
*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.
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.
Food insecurity, unemployment, and unstable housing among people with diagnosed HIV in the US by age, 2020*
*Data not available for people aged 17 and under.
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.