Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
What The First Documented Cases Of AIDS In Los Angeles Meant For The ...
Continuing the fight against aidsThe battle against HIV/AIDS has been going more than 40 years.
In the first week of June 1981, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published an article in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report "Pneumocystis Pneumonia — Los Angeles." The article describes cases of a rare lung infection, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, in five young, previously healthy gay men in Los Angeles. Los Angeles immunologist Dr. Michael Gottlieb, CDC's Dr. Wayne Shandera and their colleagues reported that all the men have other unusual infections as well, indicating that their immune systems are not working. Two had already died by the time the report was published and the others would die soon after. This edition of the MMWR marks the first official reporting of what will later become known as the AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) epidemic.
Human immunodeficiency virus attacks the body's immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS.
According to the World Health Organization since the beginning of the epidemic, 88.4 million people have been infected with the HIV virus and about 42.3 million people have died of HIV.
Today, approximately 1.2 million people in the U.S. Have HIV. About 13% of them don't know it and need testing.
HIV continues to have a disproportionate impact on certain populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities and gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.
In 2022, an estimated 31,800 people acquired HIV in the U.S.
HIV diagnoses are not evenly distributed across states and regions. The highest rates of new diagnoses continue to occur in the South.
The overall HIV infection rate has been falling globally, in part thanks to intervention techniques.
Some examples of successful interventions for HIV include:
• Antiretroviral therapy
• Prophylaxis
• Prevention of vertical (mother-to-child) transmission
Over the past 20 years, HIV has become a manageable chronic illness for people who can be tested and treated. There are still significant inequities in access to care across the globe, which must be addressed.
You can learn more about the virus and treatment at here.
National snapshotEstimated HIV infections in the U.S. By region, 2022:
• Nearly half (49%) of new HIV infections were in the South.
• There were 31,800 estimated new HIV infections in the U.S. In 2022. Of those:
• 67% were among gay, bisexual and other men who reported male-to-male sexual contact.
• 22% were among people who reported heterosexual contact.
• 7% were among people who inject drugs.
• 3% from male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use.
• 1% from birth and pregnancy.
• 1% other.
The CDC site has more data and information on U.S. Cases here.
Although global deaths from HIV/AIDS reached their peak in 2004, nearly 40 million people are living with HIV worldwide.718,000 HIV-related deaths occurred in 2021 globally.
$14.7 billion was spent in 2023 by governments, non-profits and development agencies.
As of 2021, sub-Saharan Africa is the region most disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, accounting for 72% of global HIV-related deaths with just over 29 million prevalent cases.
60% of new HIV infections at nearly 1 million new infections.
Cases of HIV/AIDS are particularly concentrated in the southern Africa region. Mozambique, Lesotho, South Africa and Eswatini all experienced 600+ new cases per 100,000 people in 2019.
Sources: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ahead.Hiv.Gov, Ourworldindata.Org
Originally Published: June 6, 2025 at 3:11 PM PDT
How Funding Cuts Could Stall Efforts To Eradicate HIV/AIDS - WMUR
Since the first case of HIV in the U.S. Nearly 44 years ago, the country has made significant progress towards eradicating the disease. Now on the cusp of ending the epidemic, roadblocks from President Donald Trump's second administration may threaten to stall that progress.The current administration has pulled millions in HIV-related grants and cut staffing positions essential to research and prevention — a reversal from Trump's promise six years ago to end the HIV epidemic by 2030.In his 2019 State of the Union address, Trump committed to "defeat AIDS in America." He backed that promise with funding that correlated with a decrease in new infections. Former President Joe Biden kept the elevated HIV/AIDS prevention and research funding, which topped $1 billion in 2024. Research by The Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR) estimates that there was a 20% reduction in new HIV infections from 2010 to 2022 as a result of the increased funding.Now, the future of funding remains unclear. Trump's FY 2026 "skinny budget" did not provide details on domestic HIV prevention and research. It did call for a $77 million cut in funds for the CDC's sexually transmitted infections, infectious diseases and opioids, viral hepatitis and tuberculosis programs — a 20% decrease. A Health and Human Services spokesperson said that critical HIV/AIDS programs will continue and that the area is a "high priority." The first cases of HIV in the U.S. Were reported on June 5, 1981. HIV is a virus that attacks a person's immune system, making them vulnerable to disease. It is spread most commonly through unprotected sex or sharing needles. AIDS is the final stage of HIV.Within 20 years after those first cases, at least 448,000 people with AIDS died. In 2023 — the most recent year the CDC has data available — there were nearly 4,500 HIV-related deaths. Though there has been a lot of scientific progress since HIV was first discovered, no cure exists. There are preventative drugs and treatment options for those who have HIV that can help make the virus undetectable and untransmissible. Today, about 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the U.S., according to CDC estimates.The number of new HIV infections has been declining, but experts warn that if funding isn't maintained, progress could halt.The federal government has pulled millions in grant funding for several organizations that provide HIV support and research. One of those organizations — the San Francisco AIDS Foundation — is the lead plaintiff in a case against the Trump administration.The case challenges the legality of three Trump executive orders that call to end grants related to diversity, equity and inclusion and gender identity. San Francisco AIDS Foundation CEO Tyler TerMeer said the organization can't do its work without an equity lens, as Black communities are disproportionately impacted by HIV. Black people account for nearly 40% of those living with HIV in the U.S., according to the CDC.In the South, stigma and limits to health care access put people more at risk. In 2022, southern states accounted for about half of new HIV infections. There are also financial barriers. Prevention and care of HIV are expensive for those without health insurance.The CDC has lost staffing at its HIV Division as part of Trump's reductions in force across the federal government. The layoffs and federal funding cuts mean a program that mailed HIV testing kits across the country — Together TakeMeHome — will close before the end of the year, the program's executive director Travis Sanchez said.Together TakeMeHome helps HIV positive people, who otherwise would not have access to testing, learn of their status and take steps to avoid infecting others. Sanchez estimates that since the program was launched in 2023, it has led to nearly 7,000 people learning they were living with HIV.The CDC has also said on its website that it cannot continue monitoring the usage of PrEP, a drug that prevents HIV infection, due to the HIV Division staff reduction. The latest published research from 2022 found that about two-thirds of people who could benefit from PrEP do not take it.The CDC did not respond to requests for comment on the staff cuts and programs impacted."While we have made such significant progress in the HIV epidemic over the last 40 plus years, and while you don't hear about HIV as much as you once did, while it's not the headline in the newspaper or the main topic on the news at night, HIV is still very real and still impacting every part of our country," TerMeer said.Beyond the U.S., HIV remains a global issue, with nearly 40 million people living with HIV as of 2023. Africa is the most affected region.Trump cuts to USAID may account for 2,300 new HIV infections each day, according to an impact analysis from the United Nations. PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPiFmdW5jdGlvbigpeyJ1c2Ugc3RyaWN0Ijt3aW5kb3cuYWRkRXZlbnRMaXN0ZW5lcigibWVzc2FnZSIsKGZ1bmN0aW9uKGUpe2lmKHZvaWQgMCE9PWUuZGF0YVsiZGF0YXdyYXBwZXItaGVpZ2h0Il0pe3ZhciB0PWRvY3VtZW50LnF1ZXJ5U2VsZWN0b3JBbGwoImlmcmFtZSIpO2Zvcih2YXIgYSBpbiBlLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdKWZvcih2YXIgcj0wO3I8dC5sZW5ndGg7cisrKXtpZih0W3JdLmNvbnRlbnRXaW5kb3c9PT1lLnNvdXJjZSl0W3JdLnN0eWxlLmhlaWdodD1lLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdW2FdKyJweCJ9fX0pKX0oKTs8L3NjcmlwdD4=
WASHINGTON —Since the first case of HIV in the U.S. Nearly 44 years ago, the country has made significant progress towards eradicating the disease. Now on the cusp of ending the epidemic, roadblocks from President Donald Trump's second administration may threaten to stall that progress.
The current administration has pulled millions in HIV-related grants and cut staffing positions essential to research and prevention — a reversal from Trump's promise six years ago to end the HIV epidemic by 2030.
In his 2019 State of the Union address, Trump committed to "defeat AIDS in America." He backed that promise with funding that correlated with a decrease in new infections.
Former President Joe Biden kept the elevated HIV/AIDS prevention and research funding, which topped $1 billion in 2024.
Research by The Foundation for AIDS Research (amFAR) estimates that there was a 20% reduction in new HIV infections from 2010 to 2022 as a result of the increased funding.
Now, the future of funding remains unclear. Trump's FY 2026 "skinny budget" did not provide details on domestic HIV prevention and research. It did call for a $77 million cut in funds for the CDC's sexually transmitted infections, infectious diseases and opioids, viral hepatitis and tuberculosis programs — a 20% decrease.
A Health and Human Services spokesperson said that critical HIV/AIDS programs will continue and that the area is a "high priority."
The first cases of HIV in the U.S. Were reported on June 5, 1981. HIV is a virus that attacks a person's immune system, making them vulnerable to disease. It is spread most commonly through unprotected sex or sharing needles. AIDS is the final stage of HIV.
Within 20 years after those first cases, at least 448,000 people with AIDS died. In 2023 — the most recent year the CDC has data available — there were nearly 4,500 HIV-related deaths.
Though there has been a lot of scientific progress since HIV was first discovered, no cure exists. There are preventative drugs and treatment options for those who have HIV that can help make the virus undetectable and untransmissible.
Today, about 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the U.S., according to CDC estimates.
The number of new HIV infections has been declining, but experts warn that if funding isn't maintained, progress could halt.
The federal government has pulled millions in grant funding for several organizations that provide HIV support and research. One of those organizations — the San Francisco AIDS Foundation — is the lead plaintiff in a case against the Trump administration.
The case challenges the legality of three Trump executive orders that call to end grants related to diversity, equity and inclusion and gender identity.
San Francisco AIDS Foundation CEO Tyler TerMeer said the organization can't do its work without an equity lens, as Black communities are disproportionately impacted by HIV.
Black people account for nearly 40% of those living with HIV in the U.S., according to the CDC.
In the South, stigma and limits to health care access put people more at risk. In 2022, southern states accounted for about half of new HIV infections.
There are also financial barriers. Prevention and care of HIV are expensive for those without health insurance.
The CDC has lost staffing at its HIV Division as part of Trump's reductions in force across the federal government.
The layoffs and federal funding cuts mean a program that mailed HIV testing kits across the country — Together TakeMeHome — will close before the end of the year, the program's executive director Travis Sanchez said.
Together TakeMeHome helps HIV positive people, who otherwise would not have access to testing, learn of their status and take steps to avoid infecting others. Sanchez estimates that since the program was launched in 2023, it has led to nearly 7,000 people learning they were living with HIV.
The CDC has also said on its website that it cannot continue monitoring the usage of PrEP, a drug that prevents HIV infection, due to the HIV Division staff reduction. The latest published research from 2022 found that about two-thirds of people who could benefit from PrEP do not take it.
The CDC did not respond to requests for comment on the staff cuts and programs impacted.
"While we have made such significant progress in the HIV epidemic over the last 40 plus years, and while you don't hear about HIV as much as you once did, while it's not the headline in the newspaper or the main topic on the news at night, HIV is still very real and still impacting every part of our country," TerMeer said.
Beyond the U.S., HIV remains a global issue, with nearly 40 million people living with HIV as of 2023. Africa is the most affected region.
Trump cuts to USAID may account for 2,300 new HIV infections each day, according to an impact analysis from the United Nations.
Marin Voice: After 25 Years Of Progress On HIV, Alliance Prepares For Challenging Next Steps
Twenty-five years ago, Marin resident Bill Rankin opted for an audacious retirement. He co-founded the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance, an international health organization, with neurosurgeon Charlie Wilson to alleviate the suffering caused by HIV/AIDS in rural Africa.
Next month, GAIA Global Health's supporters will gather at the top of San Francisco's Salesforce Tower to celebrate a quarter-century of impact in the African country of Malawi, where AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 81% overall – over 91% among children. New infections – the key metric providing hope for an AIDS-free future – have fallen even more.
At the same time, GAIA's work has branched into other treatable but potentially deadly diseases like malaria, pneumonia and diarrheal disease among children with notable impact on all fronts. However, though our "silver" anniversary celebration will be a proud and joyous one, it will be tempered by real fear over a new tsunami of suffering just ahead.
The first waves of that unnecessary pain have already reached the shore. Though Secretary of State Marco Rubio has declared that foreign aid cuts have caused zero deaths since the Trump administration took over, the data suggests otherwise. The layered impact of slashed budgets, rescissions, agreement cancellations and dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development averages what amounts to scores of deaths every hour.
The changes are reversing decades of progress. According to "The Impact Metrics Dashboard" hosted online by Boston University, Rubio is mistaken, with an estimation of more than 419,000 resultant deaths at the time of this writing. Not surprisingly, children have been hardest hit, with more than 283,000 unnecessary estimated deaths due to malnutrition, pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria alone.
Perhaps Rubio is making the point that his actions are not killing these children, but rather that the U.S. Is no longer saving them. That semantic distinction is lost on those of us who have watched children suffer from preventable or treatable illnesses. When you stop treating babies for malaria at less than $1 per dose, it feels like killing to me.
GAIA lost one-third of its budget when USAID shut down, funding that was meant to support hundreds of young women in nursing schools and more. But that was only the first-order financial impact. When our fully obligated funding was terminated, suddenly a budget hole was punched that reached well beyond that single program.
Just as suddenly, GAIA's partners providing complementary clinical services at our mobile clinics were cutting back their programs (due to their own funding cuts), leaving GAIA to fill in the void (or let clients simply go without). Most concerning, GAIA's critical partners within Malawi's resource-constrained Ministry of Health started scrambling their own budgets as leaks started to spring.
All of these stresses made the need for GAIA's services greater than ever, while our largest funding stream ran dry.
The good news for GAIA and Malawi is that we enjoy enormous support from donors in the U.S., especially the Bay Area, and many have stepped up their giving in response to the cuts. This generosity has allowed us to keep our commitments to all the nursing students and fellows placed at risk, and kept GAIA Malawi's infrastructure functioning while we work with local partners – including local governments – to rework the long-term plan. It's exhausting to constantly do more with less, but Rankin and Wilson didn't launch GAIA to be timid.
When we gather in San Francisco next month, we will celebrate our audacious founders as well as the devoted philanthropists that have built, sustained, and rescued our programs over the past quarter century. At the same time, I imagine that many of us will quietly shake our fists at the political winds that conspire to reverse Malawi's progress.
And the next day, we'll get back to work saving lives.
Todd Schafer is executive director of GAIA Global Health. Learn more about the 25th anniversary event at bit.Ly/3H5B0pS.
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