HIV in the United States by Race and Ethnicity: HIV Risk Behaviors
The risk 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.
*Among people with HIV aged 18 and older.
† Data not available for Asian, Multiracial, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander people.
‡ 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.
** 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. 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.
* Among PWID without HIV aged 18 and older.
† 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. 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.
- CDC. Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2021. HIV Surveillance Report 2023;34.
- CDC. Estimated HIV incidence and prevalence in the United States 2017–2021. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2023;28(3).
- 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).
- 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 [PDF – 2 MB]. HIV Surveillance Special Report 2020;24.
- CDC. Sexually transmitted disease surveillance, 2021. Accessed April 26, 2023.
- 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.
- 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.
