Male HIV infections dropped by 12 percent in 2022: CDC

HIV infections in men decreased by an estimated 12 percent in 2022 compared to 2018, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with the largest notable decline observed among the youngest age group.

The data published in the CDC’s HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report found there was a 12 percent decrease in HIV incidence between 2018 and 2022 among boys and men aged 13 and older. Among those between the ages of 13 and 24, the drop was 30 percent.

No change in HIV incidence was observed among age groups between 25 and 64. Those aged between 25 and 34 accounted for the rate of incidence. Data on incidence rates for those 65 and older was deemed to be not as reliable though rates appeared low. No age groups saw an increase in infections.

Across different ethnic groups, Black people saw the largest decrease of HIV incidence at 18 percent, though this group also accounted for the highest rate of incidence in 2022. No changes were observed among Hispanic/Latino, white and multiracial groups.

Regionally, the South was the sole area of the U.S. that saw a decrease — 16 percent — in incidence rates while all other regions saw no changes.

HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute lamented that while rates of new cases are dropping, they still remain high. The organization noted this current pace keeps the U.S. from reaching its goal of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030 and called for increased investment into this endeavor.

“While we would have liked to see improved outcomes, federal funding for CDC HIV prevention and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS care and treatment program, along with other critical programs, has remained flat for years. The only increases have been for the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, and even that program hasn’t received the increases it needs to be successful,” said Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute.

“Without significant increases for care and treatment, and prevention programs, including those for PrEP, sadly we will continue to experience only small drops in the number of new diagnoses, and racial and ethnic disparities will persist. As a nation, we can and must do better,” Schmid added.