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.

Ending the HIV Epidemic goal banner for viral suppression.
graphic of a bottle of pills

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.

People with Diagnosed HIV in 44 States and the District of Columbia by Race/Ethnicity, 2019*
Viral suppression by race.

* 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).

Download or share:

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 People with Diagnosed HIV in the US by Race/Ethnicity, 2019*†
Overall, 24 percent of all people with HIV missed at least 1 medical appointment in the past 12 months.
Missed HIV Medical Care Appointments Among People with Diagnosed HIV in the US by Race/Ethnicity, 2019

* 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.

Download or share:
Needed HIV Ancillary Care Services Among People with Diagnosed HIV in the US by Race/Ethnicity, 2019*†‡
Nearly half of all people with HIV needed at least 1 HIV ancillary care service in the past 12 months.

Needed HIV Ancillary Care Services Among People with Diagnosed HIV in the US by Race/Ethnicity, 2019

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.

Download or share:
HIV Treatment Among People with Diagnosed HIV in the US by Race/Ethnicity, 2019*†
More than half (61%) of all people with HIV took all their doses of HIV medicine over the last 30 days.
Percentage of people with HIV who took all their doses of HIV medicine over the last 30 days by race/ethnicity

* 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.

Download or share:
Depression and Anxiety Among People with Diagnosed HIV in the US by Race/Ethnicity, 2019*†
Overall, 22 percent of all people with HIV experienced symptoms of depression and anxiety in the past 12 months.
Depression and Anxiety Among People with Diagnosed HIV in the US by Race/Ethnicity, 2019

* 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.

Download or share:
Homelessness Among People with Diagnosed HIV in the US by Race/Ethnicity, 2019*†
Nearly 1 in 10 (or 9 percent) of all people with HIV experienced homelessness in the past 12 months.
Homelessness Among People with Diagnosed HIV in the US by Race/Ethnicity

* 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.

Download or share:
Median HIV Stigma Score Among People with Diagnosed HIV in the US by Race/Ethnicity, 2019*†
Median HIV Stigma Score Among People with Diagnosed HIV in the US by Race/Ethnicity, 2019

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.

Download or share:

 

Deaths Among People with Diagnosed HIV in the US and Dependent Areas by Race/Ethnicity, 2019*
In 2019, there were 15,815 deaths among people with diagnosed HIV in the US. These deaths could be from any cause.
Deaths Among People with Diagnosed HIV in the US and Dependent Areas by Race/Ethnicity, 2019

* 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.

Download or share: