HIV in the United States by Race/Ethnicity: Viral Suppression
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.
It is important for people to know their HIV status so they can take medicine to treat HIV if they have the virus. Taking HIV medicine every day can make the viral load undetectable. People who get and keep an undetectable viral load (or remain virally suppressed) can stay healthy for many years and will not transmit HIV to their sex partners.
* Among people aged 13 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.
** 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 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.
* Among people with HIV aged 18 and older.
† Data not available for Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander people.
‡ 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. Medical Monitoring Project.
Abbreviations: SNAP = Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; WIC = Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.
* Among people with HIV aged 18 and older.
† Data not available for Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander people.
‡ HIV ancillary care services, such as case management and mental health services, are services that support retention in HIV care.
** 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. Medical Monitoring Project.
* Among people with HIV aged 18 and older.
† Data not available for Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander people.
‡ 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. Medical Monitoring Project.
* Among people with HIV aged 18 and older.
† Data not available for Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander people.
‡ 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. Medical Monitoring Project.
* Among people with HIV aged 18 and older.
† Data not available for Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander people.
‡ 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. Medical Monitoring Project.
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, disclosure concerns, negative self-image, and perceived public attitudes about people with HIV.
* Among people with HIV aged 18 and older.
† Data not available for Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander people.
‡ Hispanic/Latino people can be of any race.
** 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.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.
* Among people aged 13 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. Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2019. HIV Surveillance Report 2021;32.
- Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2019. HIV Surveillance Report 2021;32.
- Estimated HIV incidence and prevalence in the United States 2015–2019 [PDF – 3 MB]. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2021;26(1).
- 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).
- 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.
- Sexually transmitted disease surveillance, 2019. Accessed February 14, 2022.
