2008 Minnesota HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report - Key Trends Lorraine Teel- Executive Director

Areas of Interest Increasing HIV Prevalence in Minnesota Impact on Young Gay and Bisexual Men Increasing Rising Impact on Women in Minnesota Minnesota Success Story in Controlling HIV in the Injecting Drug Using Community

Increasing HIV Prevalence in Minnesota As new individuals continue to become infected, and fewer individuals die, prevalence rates increase. Prevalence of HIV in Minnesota increased by approximately five percent to 6,220 individuals in 2008 A key factor in controlling HIV in Minnesota is to insure that those who are HIV-positive know their status and access medical care. Studies have repeatedly shown that those who know their status and are actively in care are less likely to transmit virus. That is why HIV awareness campaigns, especially focused on testing, are critical as is access to testing services

Increasing HIV Prevalence in Minnesota No major national awareness campaign since More troubling has been the continued funding cuts to HIV prevention programs made at state and federal levels. The good news is a new multi-year campaign titled 9 ½ Minutes ( to address lack of HIV awareness in the United States. This accompanies the increased estimate from the CDC noting over 56,000 annual infections. Up from previous estimate of 40,000

Increasing HIV Prevalence in Minnesota Minnesota remains a lower incident state compared to many nationally with data showing prevalence of approximately 75 cases reported per 100,000 population. Though higher than several neighboring states This speaks to the success that Minnesota’s HIV prevention programs have had with high risk populations. However, also illustrates a need to address HIV awareness and risk within the population as well

Impact on Young Gay and Bisexual Men There has been a rapid rise in men under 24 testing positive for HIV in the past few years. Approximately double the number of newly reported cases of 2001 For the 117 young men who tested HIV-positive during , all of the young men who reported risk, reported same sex contact.  (Note: Some young men did not know what their risk was or were not able to be interviewed)

Impact on Young Gay and Bisexual Men This concerning trend is why the Minnesota AIDS Project has begun a new outreach program targeting young gay and bisexual men between the ages of 18 – 24. These young men did not experience the height of the AIDS epidemic during the 1980’s and early 90’s and may have trivialized or failed to recognize the growing risk of HIV infection. Minnesota Success Story in Controlling HIV in the Injecting Drug Using Community and the Heterosexual Partners of these Drug Users

Rising Impact on Women in Minnesota In 2008, women represented 27 percent of the new infections recorded. Ten years ago, women represented only 18 percent of the newly-reported cases. Impacts all races: new cases roughly split between Caucasian, African American, and African born women.

Rising Impact on Women in Minnesota Still disproportionate representation to minority groups in the state. ▫69 percent of new cases are women of color Why the rise? ▫Rising prevalence of HIV in African American and African born men increases risk for heterosexual transmission ▫More empowerment of women and greater prevention education needed to slow this trend

Since 1988, Minnesota has had aggressive and successful HIV intervention programs targeting those who inject drugs. ▫National IDU infection: 12 percent of HIV cases The risk of HIV infection is very high for those who share needles and equipment and equally risky for the sexual partners of these individuals. Success in Controlling HIV in the Injecting Drug Using Community

Many IDUs engage in high risk heterosexual sex to obtain money or shelter and may shield their drug use from their sexual partners, employers, family and others. Here in Minnesota, IDU made up a much lower percentage of new infection, representing just four percent of the new HIV infections last year.

Thank you for your time For more information about HIV or the Minnesota AIDS Project please contact the Minnesota AIDS Project AIDSLine at AIDS (metro) or AIDS (statewide)