HIV/AIDS Facts and Figures

In San Francisco...

  • An estimated 800-1,000 people will become infected with HIV this year.
  • More than 18,000 people have died of AIDS since the epidemic began in 1981. 27,592 currently live with HIV.
  • 90% of new infections are among gay men and other men who have sex with men.
  • Gay men who use methamphetamine are 2-4 times more likely to be living with HIV.
  • Non-Hispanic whites account for 54% of cumulative HIV/AIDS cases, followed by African Americans at 13% and Latinos at 12%.

In Los Angeles...

  • An estimated 1,700 people will become infected with HIV this year.
  • More than 31,000 have died of AIDS since the epidemic began. An estimated 24,000 currently live with HIV.
  • Nearly 46% of California’s total cumulative HIV/AIDS diagnoses have occurred in Los Angeles.
  • 71% of those living with AIDS are gay or bisexual men.
  • Although African-Americans comprise only 9.6% of the city’s population, they account for nearly 20% of those living with AIDS.

In California...

  • Up to 7,000 Californians will become infected with HIV this year
  • Approximately 86,120 have died of AIDS since the epidemic began. 151,000 currently live with HIV/AIDS.
  • California ranks second in the nation in cumulative AIDS cases, surpassed only by New York.
  • 73% of all HIV/AIDS cases occur among gay men, far exceeding the 53% nationally.
  • Although African Americans comprise 6% of the state’s population, they account for nearly 19% of those living with HIV/AIDS.

In the United States...

  • Every 9 ½ minutes, someone is infected with HIV.
  • An estimated 56,300 will become infected with HIV this year.
  • More than 580,000 have died of AIDS since the epidemic began in 1981. 1.1 million are currently living with HIV, including 21% who are unaware of their status.
  • Young people, ages 13-29 account for 34% of all new infections, the largest share of any age group. Most young people are infected sexually.
  • African Americans, although comprising only 12% of the population, account for 46% of all new infections. Latinos, comprising 15% of the population, account for 17% of all new infections.
  • In general, racial and ethnic minorities account for 67% of those living with HIV, and 70% of AIDS deaths.

In the World...

  • An estimated 2.7 million people will become infected with HIV this year.
  • More than 20 million have died from AIDS since the epidemic began. 33 million currently live with HIV, including 2.5 million children.
  • 95% of those living with HIV reside in developing nations, predominantly Africa.
  • More than 50% of those living with HIV are women, and women’s share of the infection is increasing in several countries.
  • Of the 2 million children living with HIV, 90% of them live in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Data Sources:

Joint United Nations Program on AIDS (UNAIDS); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); California Department of Public Health; San Francisco Department of Public Health; Los Angeles Department of Public Health; California HIV/AIDS Research Program; the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation; and Buchacz, et al (2005).