The Center for Disease Control and Prevention released a study indicating that more than 1 million Americans are HIV positive. That is the highest number since the 1980s. The CDC estimates that between 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 were living with HIV or full blown AIDS as of December, 2003.
Experts say this is partially due to the fact that patients with HIV are living longer due to better treatments that are available. They also fear that while the number of infected people is rising, the general population is less concerned about HIV and AIDS and is not taking the proper precautions to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
'Our treatment successes have been a godsend for HIV-infected individuals, but at the same time, it may have created an environment of reduced concern about infection,' said CDC epidemiologist Kate Glynn, the author of the report.
One problem in the fight against the disease is that the Bush Administration continues to cut programs to fight HIV.
'We keep getting our (federal AIDS) money cut for prevention,' Terry Cunningham, a San Diego county employee who is in charge of AIDS prevention told the 'San Diego Union-Tribune.' 'The county received $3 million from Washington in 2000; this year, it got $2 million.'
New infections continue to occur throughout the United States despite a better educated population. Risky behavior such as unprotected sex and the sharing of needles by drug users continues. More importantly, according to the CDC report, approximately one of every four HIV positive people does not even know they are infected.
African-Americans, IV drug users and men who have sex with men are among those at the greatest risk of contracting the HIV virus. The report indicated that approximately 47 percent of those who are HIV positive in the United States are black with nearly half being homosexual or bisexual males and 22 percent IV drug users.
'Clearly, more diverse populations are being affected than ever before,' said Glynn. She added that the studies show a need for 'culturally appropriate and tailored approaches' to education and treatment.
