Black Americans continue to bear a disproportionate burden of the HIV epidemic in the United States. Although they represent just 12% of the U.S. population, they account for more than one-third of all people living with HIV. According to two federal studies, nearly 55% of all new HIV diagnoses are among Black individuals, the highest rate of any racial or ethnic group.
One study, which analyzed data from 61 regions, found that while Black people made up 45% of those tested for HIV—a promising sign—they still faced the highest rates of new diagnoses. Among newly diagnosed Black individuals, gay men represented about 37%, highlighting a particularly vulnerable subgroup within the community.
The second study revealed that while deaths among Black people with HIV declined by 28% from 2008 to 2012, their death rate remained 13% higher than that of white individuals and 47% higher than that of Hispanic individuals. This disparity underscores ongoing challenges in access to care and treatment.
Alarmingly, 15% of Black individuals with HIV are unaware of their status, and many who are diagnosed do not receive adequate care. Only 54% of newly diagnosed Black individuals were referred to HIV prevention services, a gap that experts say must be addressed to reduce the toll of the disease.
See “Blacks Make up More Than Half of New HIV Diagnoses” (June 2025)
