Important Facts for HIV Infections

Definition

Number of people diagnosed with HIV and living with HIV in Utah.

Numerator

For views regarding new cases - the number of new HIV diagnoses in a given year. For views regarding persons living with HIV in Utah - the number of persons with diagnosed HIV infection who are known to be living in Utah during a particular time-frame.

Denominator

Number of people living in Utah

Data Interpretation Issues

Beginning in 2020, persons who have not had a reported laboratory result or address change for at least 5 years are no longer considered to be living in Utah. This change is retroactive and lowers the estimate of persons living with HIV in Utah by several hundred. The estimate of persons living with HIV in Utah does not include undiagnosed cases. Additionally, it is only an approximation since it does not include persons who have moved out of Utah or who have died where this information has not been reported.

Why Is This Important?

HIV is a blood-borne virus. Transmission occurs primarily through sexual contact with an infected person, sharing needles for the injection of drugs, or before, during, or after the birth of children to HIV-infected mothers. The Bureau of Epidemiology has the responsibility of investigating cases of HIV in order to monitor trends in the disease and, whenever possible, to interrupt the transmission of HIV. This is done by collecting pertinent demographic information on reported HIV-positive individuals and by conducting follow-up on newly diagnosed individuals and their partners. No treatment is available to cure HIV, although antiretroviral treatments are available to extend survival among those who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Other Objectives

The only acceptable goals for HIV are: Zero new infections, Zero HIV-related deaths, and Zero HIV stigma. These goals are supported by Utah's Getting to Zero plan, which can be accessed at [https://hivandme.com/ HIVandMe.com].

How Are We Doing?

As of December 31, 2020, a total of 2,911 individuals diagnosed with HIV (regardless of AIDS diagnosis) were known to be living in Utah. AIDS-related deaths have been decreasing, primarily because of improved efficacy of combination antiretroviral therapies. This trend has led to an increased number of people living with HIV infections in Utah, thus impacting healthcare systems and increasing the need for HIV Treatment and Care programs. Of those HIV-positive individuals known to be living in Utah as of December 31, 2020, the majority (26%) are between 50-59 years of age. Those HIV-positive individuals known to be living in Utah aged 40-49 years make up an additional 23%. Persons aged 60 years and above account for 21% whereas children and adolescents (aged 0-19) account for about 1%. Of the total 2,911 individuals living with HIV, 2,478 (85%) are male, and 433 (15%) are female. Male-to-male sexual contact (MSM) is the most common means of HIV exposure (68%) reported among men of all races followed by persons practicing both male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug-use (MSM+IDU) at 16%. The racial breakdown of men living with HIV shows 61% are White (non-Hispanic), 23% are Hispanic, nearly 10% are Black, 2.5% are Asian, 1% are American Indian/Alaskan Native, and 2.5% are of multiple races or unknown. High-risk heterosexual contact is the most common means of HIV exposure (46%) reported among women followed by injection drug use (IDU) at 16%. The racial breakdown of women living with HIV shows that 41% are White (non-Hispanic), 31% are Black, 20% are Hispanic, 5% are Asian, 1% are American Indian/Alaskan Native, and 2% are of multiple races or unknown.

What Is Being Done?

Community-based prevention efforts include: * HIV testing as a part of routine medical care * Targeting high-risk populations to get tested * Encouraging safer sexual practices * Encouraging drug users to get treatment and increase harm reduction practices * Encouraging pregnant women or women considering pregnancy to be tested for HIV