Prevalence of HIV infection in the United States, 1984 to 1992

J. M. Karon, P. S. Rosenberg, G. McQuillan, M. Khare, M. Gwinn and L. R. Petersen
Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.

OBJECTIVE--To estimate the number of persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) living in the United States and the change in HIV infection prevalence since 1984. DESIGN--We estimated HIV prevalence from 3 data sources. We estimated past HIV infection rates from a statistical procedure based on national acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) case surveillance data and estimates of the time from HIV infection to AIDS diagnosis. We also analyzed HIV prevalence data from 2 national surveys, a survey of childbearing woman and a household survey of current health status. We used other data sources to adjust these survey estimates to include groups not covered in the surveys. RESULTS--Approximately 0.3% of US residents (650,000-900,000 persons) were infected with HIV in 1992. Approximately 0.6% of men (including adolescent boys > or = 13 years of age) were infected, including approximately 2% of non-Hispanic black men and 1% of Hispanic men. Approximately 0.1% of women (including adolescent girls > or = 13 years of age) were infected, including approximately 0.6% of non-Hispanic black women. Approximately half of all infected persons were men who had sex with men, and one fourth were injecting drug users. The prevalence of HIV infection increased from 1984 to 1992, with a greater relative increase among women than men. CONCLUSIONS--The 3 different data sources and methods are consistent in estimating that 650,000 to 900,000 persons were infected with HIV in the United States in 1992. Among adolescents and adults of both sexes, the proportion infected was substantially higher among non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics than among non-Hispanic whites. HIV-related illness will be a major clinical and public health problem in the United States for years to come.

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

Effects of Testosterone Replacement in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Women with Weight Loss
Choi et al.
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2005;90:1531-1541.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Unprotected Anal Intercourse Among HIV-Positive Men Who Have a Steady Male Sex Partner With Negative or Unknown HIV Serostatus
Denning and Campsmith
Am. J. Public Health 2005;95:152-158.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Post-exposure prophylaxis for blood borne viral infections in healthcare workers
Varghese et al.
Postgrad. Med. J. 2003;79:324-328.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Burden of Infectious Disease Among Inmates of and Releasees From US Correctional Facilities, 1997
Hammett et al.
Am. J. Public Health 2002;92:1789-1794.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Co-occurrence of HIV and Serious Mental Illness Among Medicaid Recipients
Blank et al.
Psychiatr. Serv. 2002;53:868-873.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Community-Based Approach to Eliminating Racial and Health Disparities among Incarcerated Populations: The HIV Example for Inmates Returning to the Community
Stephens et al.
Health Promot Pract 2002;3:255-263.
ABSTRACT  

Health and Federal Budgetary Effects of Increasing Access to Antiretroviral Medications for HIV by Expanding Medicaid
Kahn et al.
Am. J. Public Health 2001;91:1464-1473.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Avoiding malpractice for nondental conditions: The example of human immunodeficiency virus
GRIMES et al.
Journal of the American Dental Association 2001;132:499-507.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Survival After AIDS Diagnosis in Adolescents and Adults During the Treatment Era, United States, 1984-1997
Lee et al.
JAMA 2001;285:1308-1315.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Trends in Incidence and Prevalence of Major Transfusion-Transmissible Viral Infections in US Blood Donors, 1991 to 1996
Glynn et al.
JAMA 2000;284:229-235.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Ethical Considerations in the Treatment of Infertility in Women with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Minkoff and Santoro
NEJM 2000;342:1748-1750.
FULL TEXT  

The AIDS Epidemic -- Considerations for the 21st Century
Fauci
NEJM 1999;341:1046-1050.
FULL TEXT  

Trends in Perinatal Transmission of HIV/AIDS in the United States
Lindegren et al.
JAMA 1999;282:531-538.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Will To Live among HIV-Infected Patients
Tsevat et al.
ANN INTERN MED 1999;131:194-198.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

HIV and People With Serious Mental Illness: The Public Sector's Role in Reducing HIV Risk and Improving Care
Sullivan et al.
Psychiatr. Serv. 1999;50:648-652.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

HIV Risk Factors Among People With Severe Mental Illness in Urban and Rural Areas
Brunette et al.
Psychiatr. Serv. 1999;50:556-558.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

The Care of HIV-Infected Adults in the United States
Bozzette et al.
NEJM 1998;339:1897-1904.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Caring for People with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Steinbrook
NEJM 1998;339:1926-1928.
FULL TEXT  

Home Sample Collection Tests for HIV Infection
Branson
JAMA 1998;280:1699-1701.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Trends in HIV Incidence Among Young Adults in the United States
Rosenberg and Biggar
JAMA 1998;279:1894-1899.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Battling HIV on Many Fronts
Steinbrook
NEJM 1997;337:779-781.
FULL TEXT  

Decline in HIV Infections in Thailand
Brody et al.
NEJM 1996;335:1998-1999.
FULL TEXT  

U.S. HIV Prevalence
AIDS Clin Care 1996;1996:7-7.
FULL TEXT