The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a health crisis for African Americans. In 2001, HIV/AIDS was among the top 3 causes of death for African American men aged 25–54 years and among the top 4 causes of death for African American women aged 20–54 years. It was the number 1 cause of death for African American women aged 25–34 years.

HIV/AIDS in 2003

• African Americans accounted for 16,165 (50%) of the 32,048 estimated new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the United States in the 32 states with confidential name-based HIV reporting.

• A study of people with a diagnosis of HIV infection found that 56% of late testers (that is, those who received an AIDS diagnosis within 1 year after their HIV diagnosis) were African American. Late testing represents missed opportunities for preventing and treating HIV infection.

• The leading cause of HIV infection among African American men was sexual contact with other men; the next leading causes were heterosexual contact and injection drug use.

• The leading cause of HIV infection among African American women was heterosexual contact; the next leading cause was injection drug use.

• Of the 90 infants reported as having HIV/ AIDS, 62 were African American

Note: Based on data from 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Does not include US dependencies, possessions, and associated nations or persons whose state or area of residence is unknown.