From 2001 through 2006, the number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses in men who have sex with men increased by nearly 9% in 33 states, with particularly high increases in black men and Asian/Pacific Islanders under age 25 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC analysis of trends in HIV/AIDS diagnoses in men who have sex with men (MSM) estimated that 214,379 people were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, of which 46% were among MSM and 4% were among MSM who also injected illicit drugs. Diagnoses during this time period dropped in all transmission categories except for MSM (MMWR 2007;57:681-6).
Of the cases diagnosed among MSM, 64% were in men who were aged 25–44 years. There was a 12% increase in diagnoses in all black MSM. Diagnoses in black MSM aged 13–24 years increased by 93%, a rate that was about twofold greater than the rate of increase in white MSM in the same age group.
Asian/Pacific Islanders aged 13–24 years saw the largest proportionate increase in HIV/AIDS diagnoses. In this group, HIV/AIDS diagnoses increased by 256% (an estimated annual increase of almost 31%). Among MSM in this younger age group, the annual percentage increases in diagnoses were statistically significant in all racial/ethnic populations, with the exception of American Indian and Alaska Natives.
“These findings underscore the need for continued effective testing and risk reduction interventions for MSM,” particularly for those younger than age 25 years, according to the report.
Among the limitations of the report, the 33 states are not representative of all HIV-positive people in the United States. However, the racial and ethnic disparities observed are similar to those observed for AIDS cases in all the states.