Statement by Elizabeth M. Duke, Administrator for the Health Resources and Services Administration, Regarding World AIDS Day | En Español

The U.S. Numbers

• Between 1,039,000 and 1,185,000 individuals are living with HIV.
• An estimated 25 percent are not aware of their HIV status.
• Approximately 40,000 new HIV infections occur every year.
• More than 550,394 people with HIV/AIDS have died since 1981.

The Good News

With the right care and treatment, people infected with HIV can live long and productive lives. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, reauthorized in 2006, makes the right care and treatment possible for low-income, uninsured and under-insured men, women, children and youth with no other way to meet their medical care and support needs.

In the most recent years (2004 or 2005) for which data are available:

• 531,000 people received at least one medical, health, or support service through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
• 572,397 people in the U.S. learned whether or not they were infected with HIV through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
• 212,471 people were served by Early Intervention Programs that prevent or reduce HIV-related morbidity.
• 131,808 clients were served through State AIDS Drug Assistance Programs during at least one quarter of the year.
• 52,306 women received comprehensive care and just 111 infants tested positive for HIV after being born to HIV-infected mothers, one-third as many as 1994.