HIV and Gay and Bisexual Men: Viral Suppression

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Data for 2020 should be interpreted with caution due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to HIV testing, care-related services, and case surveillance activities in state and local jurisdictions. While 2020 data on HIV diagnoses and prevention and care outcomes are available, we are not updating this web content with data from these reports.

Viral suppression is one of the six Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. indicators. Viral suppression refers to the percentage of people with diagnosed HIV who have less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood.

EHE goal: increase the percentage of people with HIV who have are virally suppressed to 95 percent by 2025.
It's important for people to know their HIV status.
Gay and Bisexual Men with Diagnosed HIV in 44 States and the District of Columbia, 2019
In 2019, for every 100 gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV, 68 were virally suppressed.

In 2019, for every 100 gay and bisexual men with diagnosed HIV, 68 were virally suppressed.

* 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).

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Many people with HIV may 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.
29 percent of women missed at least 1 medical appointment in the past 12 months compared to 24 percent of people overall.

* Among people aged 18 and older.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.

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Needed HIV Ancillary Services Among Gay and Bisexual Men with Diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*†
Having access to needed services could reduce barriers
The top 3 services gay and bisexual men not receiving in the past 12 months: dental care, SNAP or WIC, and mental health.
Forty-one percent of all people with HIV needed, but did not receive at least 1 HIV ancillary service in the past 12 months.

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.

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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.
58 percent of women reported taking all of their HIV medicine over the last 30 days compared to 59 percent of people overall.

* Among people aged 18 and older.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.

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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.
22 percent of gay and bisexual men experienced symptoms of depression and anxiety compared to 22 percent of people overall.

* Among people aged 18 and older.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.

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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 gay and bisexual men reported homelessness compared to 9 percent of people overall.

* Among people aged 18 and older.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.

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Median HIV Stigma Scores Among Gay and Bisexual Men with Diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*
36 percent of gay and bisexual men with HIV experienced stigma.

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.

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  1. CDC. Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2019. HIV Surveillance Report 2021;32.
  2. CDC. Estimated HIV incidence and prevalence in the United States, 2015–2019 [PDF – 3 MB]. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2021;26(1).
  3. 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).
  4. CDC. Sexually transmitted disease surveillance, 2019. Accessed September 1, 2021.
  5. 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.
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  7. CDC. HIV care outcomes among men who have sex with men with diagnosed HIV infection—United States, 2015. MMWR 2017;66(37):969-74.
  8. CDC. HIV testing experience before HIV diagnosis among men who have sex with men—21 jurisdictions, United States, 2007–2013. MMWR 2016;65(37):999-1003.
  9. Clark HA, Oraka E, DiNenno EA, et al. Men who have sex with men (MSM) who have not previously tested for HIV: Results from the MSM testing initiative, United States (2012-2015). AIDS Behav 2019;23(2):359-65. PubMed abstract.
  10. Kwan CK, Rose CE, Brooks JT, Marks G, Sionean C. HIV testing among men at risk for acquiring HIV infection before and after the 2006 CDC recommendations. Public Health Rep 2016;131:311-9. PubMed abstract.
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