HIV in the United States: What to Know, What to Do

What the numbers say

About 39,000 people were diagnosed with HIV in the U.S. in 2023. Most diagnoses occur among men, and over half are in the South. Black and Hispanic/Latino communities carry a disproportionate share of new diagnoses, and more than half of all diagnoses are among people ages 25–44.

Black/African American people and Hispanic/Latino people together account for about 70% of estimated new HIV infections, despite being a smaller share of the population. Among women, Black women have the highest diagnosis rate.

Where we’re seeing increases or gaps

Overall prevention is working for some groups, but progress is uneven. Young people have seen declines in recent years, yet racial disparities persist. The South remains the epicenter of the epidemic, and some localities report recent upticks, especially among Black people and cisgender women.

Why stigma and misinformation still matter

HIV spreads through specific routes — unprotected sex, sharing needles, and during pregnancy, birth, or breastfeeding without treatment. It does not spread through hugging, sharing food, toilet seats, or casual contact. Stigma and myths keep people from getting tested, delay treatment, and discourage the use of protective options like PrEP.

The science is clear: people with HIV who take medication and maintain an undetectable viral load do not transmit HIV to sexual partners. This is known as U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable).

Health impact over time

Modern HIV treatment is powerful and life-extending. Still, living with HIV can increase risks for other conditions — like heart disease, some cancers, kidney disease, diabetes, and cognitive changes — partly due to chronic inflammation and aging with a long-term condition. Staying in care and on treatment lowers these risks and supports a long, healthy life.

Why this matters for women who are pregnant, planning, or could become pregnant

HIV isn’t just an individual health issue — it directly affects families. A pregnant person with untreated HIV can pass the virus to their baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding.

The good news is that with early testing, proper treatment, and ongoing care, the risk of transmission can be reduced to less than 1%.

For those who are planning a pregnancy, knowing your HIV status and considering preventive options like PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is just as important.

PrEP is safe for people who are pregnant or trying to conceive, and it can protect both parent and child. Taking steps now protects not only your health but also ensures a healthier start for your baby.

What works: testing, treatment, and prevention you can use

• Know your status. Routine testing is the doorway to care and prevention. If you test positive, starting treatment quickly protects your health and your partners.

• PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). Highly effective medicine for people who do not have HIV. Options include once-daily pills and long-acting injections given on a set schedule. PrEP is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

• PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis). If you think you were exposed, PEP can reduce the chance of infection when started within 72 hours and taken for 28 days.

• Condoms & safer sex. Still effective at lowering risk — especially when combined with PrEP and regular testing.

• Syringe services. For people who inject drugs, access to sterile equipment and linkage to care reduce transmission and save lives.

What families, communities, and providers can do

• Talk openly. Normalize conversations about testing, PrEP, and treatment — silence fuels stigma. Share the U=U message widely. U=U: Undetectable means Untransmittable.

• Connect to care. Help loved ones find clinics that offer same-day testing, PrEP starts, and rapid treatment.

• Make it easy. Ask clinics about telehealth, evening hours, transportation support, or pharmacy delivery for HIV meds and PrEP.

• Advocate for equity. Support programs that expand testing, PrEP access, and culturally grounded care for Black women, Black men who have sex with men, and Latino communities — groups most affected by current disparities.

Closing: Changing the story together

HIV in the U.S. is preventable and treatable. Testing, rapid treatment, and proven prevention tools like PrEP and PEP can stop new infections and protect long-term health. For those who are pregnant or planning to be, these steps can also protect the next generation.

When we replace stigma with science — and ensure that everyone has access to care — we don’t just protect individuals. We protect families. We protect communities. And together, we change the story.

Knowledge is protection. Truth is survival.