The HIV/AIDS epidemic has impacted women profoundly; in fact, women are the fastest growing group of people becoming HIV infected. According to the most recent HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report (June 2007) the percentage of women living with AIDS has more than tripled since 1985 growing from 8% to now 27%. Moreover, while there have been great advances in the battle against HIV/AIDS, women have not benefited from those advances at the same rate as men.

HIV/AIDS in Females in NYC, 2005, Basic Statistics

1,042 new HIV diagnoses (24.7/100,000)

- 264 HIV concurrent with AIDS (25%)

- Females comprise of 53% of the population of NYC and 27% of new HIV diagnoses

 

1,294 new AIDS diagnoses

- Includes 264 concurrent HIV/AIDS cases

29, 034 females living with HIV/AIDS

- 0.7% of the female population

- Many more do not know they are infected because they have never been tested

 

Additional facts:

·         HIV/AIDS primarily affects females in their 30’s and 40’s with the median age of HIV diagnosis being 39, the median age of AIDS diagnosis being 43, and the median age of death being 47

 

·         Females comprise a greater proportion of new HIV diagnoses among blacks, compared to other racial/ethnic groups

 

·         The highest rates of new HIV diagnoses (33.8-82.0 per 100,000) in females are highest in Harlem and the South Bronx: Central Harlem – Morningside Heights, East Harlem, Hunts Point – Mott Haven, High Bridge – Morrisania

 

·         The highest concentration of cases were also concentrated in Harlem and the South Bronx in five neighborhoods: Central Harlem – Morningside Heights, East Harlem, Hunts Point – Mott Haven, High Bridge – Morrisania, Crotona – Tremont