NBHAAD 2016 Media Summary

Disparities in Consistent Retention in HIV Care — 11 States and the District of Columbia, 2011–2013

African Americans experience a greater burden of HIV, compared with other racial/ethnic groups in the United States. While representing 12 percent of the population, African Americans accounted for 45 percent of new HIV diagnoses in 2013. This analysis uses National HIV Surveillance System data to describe retention in HIV care over three years and identify differences by race/ethnicity. Retention in HIV care and treatment are crucial in achieving sustained viral suppression, which results in reduced transmission to others. This report found that among persons with HIV diagnosed in 2010 and who were alive in December 2013, blacks were less likely to be consistently retained in care during 2011–2013, compared with other racial/ethnic groups (blacks: 38 percent, whites: 49 percent, Hispanics/Latinos: 50 percent). Additionally, black males were less consistently retained in care during this time period compared with black females (35 percent versus 44 percent, respectively).

###

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES