HIV and African American Gay and Bisexual Men
Black/African Americana gay, bisexual, and other men who reported male-to-male sexual contactb,c are more affected by HIV than any other groups in the United States (US) and dependent areas.d In 2019, Black/African American gay and bisexual men accounted for 26% (9,421) of the 36,801 new HIV diagnoses and 37% of new diagnoses among all gay and bisexual men.e
a 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. This web content uses African American, unless referencing surveillance data.
b The term male-to-male sexual contact is used in CDC surveillance systems. It indicates a behavior that transmits HIV infection, not how people self-identify in terms of their sexuality. This web content uses the term gay and bisexual men to represent gay, bisexual, and other men who reported male-to-male sexual contact.
c Unless otherwise noted, data in this web content are for adults and adolescents aged 13 and older.
d American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the Republic of Palau, and the US Virgin Islands.
e Includes infections attributed to male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use (men who reported both risk factors).
- CDC. Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2019. HIV Surveillance Report 2021;32.
- CDC. Estimated HIV incidence and prevalence in the United States, 2015–2019 pdf icon[PDF – 3 MB]. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2021;26(1).
- 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).
- CDC. HIV infection risk, prevention, and testing behaviors among men who have sex with men—National HIV Behavioral Surveillance, 23 U.S. cities, 2017 pdf icon[PDF – 1 MB]. HIV Surveillance Special Report 2019;22.
- CDC. HIV care outcomes among men who have sex with men with diagnosed HIV infection—United States, 2015. MMWR 2017;66(37):969-74.
- Marano M, Stein R, Song W, Patel D, Taylor-Aidoo N, Xu S, Scales L. HIV testing, linkage to HIV medical care, and interviews for partners services among black men who have sex with men—non-health care facilities, 20 southern U.S. jurisdictions, 2016. MMWR 2018;67(28):778-81.