April 24, 2024

Fast Facts: HIV and Gay and Bisexual Men

Gay, bisexual, and other men who reported male-to-male sexual contact are disproportionately affected by HIV. From 2015 to 2019, the number of estimated HIV infections among gay and bisexual men in the United States decreased from 26,900 to 24,500. However, gay and bisexual men accounted for 70% of the total 34,800 estimated new HIV infections in the United States in 2019.

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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 among gay and bisexual men in the US, 2015-2019

Of the 34,000 estimated new HIV infections in the US in 2019, 70 percent (24,500) were among gay and bisexual men. This number decreased from 2015 to 2019. The Ending the HIV Epidemic overall goal is to decrease the estimated number of new HIV infections to 9,300 by 2025 and 3,000 by 2030. — Learn more about estimated HIV infections among gay and bisexual men.

_{Source: CDC. Estimated HIV incidence and prevalence in the United States 2015–2019. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2021;26(1).}

HIV diagnoses

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

HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men in the US and dependent areas by race/ethnicity, 2019

Among gay and bisexual men who received an HIV diagnosis in 2019, racial and ethnic disparities continue to exist. Black/African American gay and bisexual men had the most new diagnoses, followed by Hispanic/Latino, White, multiracial, Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander gay and bisexual men, respectively. — Learn more about HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men by race and ethnicity.

_{*Black refers to people having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa. African American is a term often used for people of African descent with ancestry in North America.}

_{† Hispanic/Latino people can be of any race.}

_{Source: CDC. Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2019. HIV Surveillance Report 2021;32.}

HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men in the US and dependent areas by age, 2019

In 2019, gay and bisexual men aged 13 to 34 made up most new HIV diagnoses among all gay and bisexual men. — Learn more about HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men by age.

_{NOTE: Total may not equal 100% due to rounding.}

_{Source: CDC. Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2019. HIV Surveillance Report 2021;32.}

From 2015 to 2019, HIV diagnoses decreased 9% among gay and bisexual men overall. But trends varied for different groups of gay and bisexual men.

HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men in the US and dependent areas, 2015-2019

From 2015 to 2019, HIV diagnoses trends among gay and bisexual men in the US and dependent areas varied by age. People aged 55 and older had an increase in diagnoses, while people aged 25 to 34 remained stable. People aged 45 to 54 had the largest decrease in diagnoses, followed by people aged 13 to 24, then people aged 35 to 44, respectively. Trends by race and ethnicity also varied: American Indian/Alaska Native people had an increase in diagnoses. Multiracial people had the largest decrease, followed by Asian and White people, respectively. Diagnoses among Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander people were stable. Note: changes in subpopulations with fewer HIV diagnoses can lead to a large percentage increase or decrease. — Learn more about trends in HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men by age and by race and ethnicity.

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

_{† Black refers to people having origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa. African American is a term often used for people of African descent with ancestry in North America.}

_{‡ Hispanic/Latino people can be of any race.}

_{Source: CDC. Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2019. HIV Surveillance Report 2021;32.}

Knowledge of status

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

Gay and bisexual men with HIV in the US, 2019

In 2019, an estimated 1.2 million people had HIV. Of those, 754,700 were gay and bisexual men. For every 100 people with HIV, 87 knew their HIV status. For every 100 gay and bisexual men with HIV, 85 knew their HIV 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 gay and bisexual men with HIV.

_{* Includes infections attributed to male-to-male sexual contact only. Among men with HIV attributed to male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use, 92% knew they had HIV.}

_{Source: CDC. Estimated HIV incidence and prevalence in the United States 2015–2019. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2021;26(1).}

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 gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*

Getting and keeping an undetectable viral load is the best way for people with HIV to stay healthy and protect others. In 2020, 8 percent of all people with HIV, compared to 9 percent of gay and bisexual men with HIV, had sex without using an HIV prevention strategy in the past 12 months. — Learn more about sexual behaviors among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV.

_{* Among people aged 18 and older.}

_{† 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. Medical Monitoring Project.}

HIV prevention

There are many HIV prevention strategies available, including condoms; pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP); post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP); as well as interventions focused on risk reduction; adherence to HIV medicine; linkage to, retention in, and re-engagement in care; structural approaches; and engagement in PrEP care. Additionally, for people with HIV, treatment provides substantial benefits for personal health and reduces HIV transmission to others. This is sometimes called HIV treatment as prevention.

PrEP awareness and use among gay and bisexual men in 23 US cities, 2017*

PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV from sex or injection drug use. In 2017, 85 percent of gay and bisexual men without HIV were aware of PrEP, while 25 percent used PrEP. — Learn more about awareness and use of PrEP among gay and bisexual men.

_{Source: CDC. HIV infection risk, prevention, and testing behaviors among men who have sex with men—National HIV Behavioral Surveillance, 23 U.S. cities, 2017. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2019;22.}

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 gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in 44 states and the District of Columbia, 2019

Compared to all people with diagnosed HIV, gay and bisexual men have higher viral suppression rates. For every 100 gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in 2019, 78 received some HIV care, 59 were retained in care, and 68 were virally suppressed. For comparison, for every 100 people overall with diagnosed HIV, 76 received some care, 58 were retained in care, and 66 were virally suppressed. The Ending the HIV Epidemic goal is to increase the percentage of people with diagnosed HIV who are virally suppressed to at least 95% by 2025 and remain at 95% by 2030. — Learn more about HIV care and viral suppression among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV.

_{^* 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, 2019. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2021;26(2).}

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.

Missed HIV medical care appointments among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*

Staying in HIV care is important to achieving and maintaining viral suppression. 20 percent of all people with HIV, compared to 19 percent of gay and bisexual men with HIV, missed at least 1 medical appointment in the past 12 months. — Learn about missed HIV medical care appointments among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US.

_{* Among people aged 18 and older.}

_{Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.}

Needed HIV ancillary services among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*†

Having access to needed services could reduce barriers to achieving and maintaining viral suppression. The top 3 services gay and bisexual men with HIV reported needing, but not receiving in the past 12 months were dental care, SNAP or WIC, and mental health services. 41 percent of all people with HIV needed, but did not receive, at least 1 HIV ancillary service in the past 12 months. — Learn more about HIV ancillary services that gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV needed but did not receive.

_{Abbreviations: SNAP = Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; WIC = Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.}

_{* Among people aged 18 and older.}

_{† HIV ancillary services, such as case management and mental health services, are services that support retention in HIV care and viral suppression.}

_{Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.}

HIV treatment among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*

Taking HIV medicine consistently and as prescribed is the best way to achieve and maintain viral suppression. 62 percent of all people with HIV, compared to 61 percent of gay and bisexual men with HIV, reported taking all their doses of HIV medicine over the last 30 days. — Learn more about HIV treatment among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US.

_{* Among people aged 18 and older.}

_{Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.}

Symptoms of depression and anxiety among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*

People who experience symptoms of depression or anxiety may face challenges maintaining viral suppression. 19 percent of all people with HIV, compared to 20 percent of gay and bisexual men with HIV, experienced symptoms of depression or anxiety in the past 12 months. — Learn more about symptoms of depression and anxiety among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US.

_{* Among people aged 18 and older.}

_{Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.}

Homelessness among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*

People who experience homelessness may find it difficult to get HIV care and treatment. 8 percent of all people with HIV, compared to 7 percent of gay and bisexual men with HIV, reported homelessness in the past 12 months. — Learn more about homelessness among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US.

_{* Among people aged 18 and older.}

_{Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.}

Median HIV stigma scores among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*

Gay and bisexual men with HIV experienced HIV stigma. On a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 representing high HIV stigma and 0 representing no HIV stigma, all people with HIV had a score of 28, while gay and bisexual men with HIV had a score of 27. The goal is 0 for all populations. — Learn more about HIV stigma among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US.

_{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.}

_{* Among people aged 18 and older.}

_{Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.}

April 24, 2024

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Content Source:

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

Fast Facts: HIV and Gay and Bisexual Men

At a glance

Fast facts

HIV incidence

Estimated HIV infections among gay and bisexual men in the US, 2015-2019

HIV diagnoses

HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men in the US and dependent areas by race/ethnicity, 2019

HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men in the US and dependent areas by age, 2019

HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men in the US and dependent areas, 2015-2019

Knowledge of status

Gay and bisexual men with HIV in the US, 2019

Behaviors associated with HIV transmission

Sexual behaviors among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*

HIV prevention

PrEP awareness and use among gay and bisexual men in 23 US cities, 2017*

Viral suppression and barriers to care

HIV care continuum among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in 44 states and the District of Columbia, 2019

Missed HIV medical care appointments among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*

Needed HIV ancillary services among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*†

HIV treatment among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*

Symptoms of depression and anxiety among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*

Homelessness among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*

Median HIV stigma scores among gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*

HIV