The Silent Emergency: HIV in Black America

Medical advancements empower individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to enjoy vibrant lives. From 2018 to 2022, HIV infection rates dropped by 12%, yet specific communities experience a troubling surge in cases. Stigma and misinformation severely affect Black Americans, who constituted 37% of roughly 31,800 new diagnoses in 2022. Disturbingly, young Black Americans aged 13 to 24 represented half of youth diagnoses, with Black women also accounting for 50% of new cases. Furthermore, heightened stigma faced by Black and Hispanic individuals intensifies health disparities and unmet needs for preventive solutions like PrEP.