Why Is This Important?

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system. If HIV is not treated, it can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Currently, there is no effective cure. However, with proper medical care HIV can be controlled. People with HIV who get effective HIV treatment can live long, healthy lives and protect their partners.

Definition

Number of persons living with a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS in a subpopulation

Data Source

How the Measure is Calculated

How Are We Doing?

About two-thirds of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) in New Jersey are male, although the number of PLWH gradually increased among all genders from 2010 through 2021. In the same time period, about half of the PLWH in New Jersey were Black, over one-quarter were Hispanic, and one-fifth were White. While small relative to other racial/ethnic groups, the number of Asians/Pacific Islanders living with HIV/AIDS doubled between 2010 and 2021. Among Hispanics, the number increased 32%, among Whites 9%, and among Blacks 4%. From 2010 through 2021, there was a distinct increase in the number of PLWH aged 55 years and older and a smaller increase among those aged 25-34 years. During this same time frame, there was a decrease among those under age 25 years as well as among those aged 35-54 years. In 2021, 2% of PLWH in New Jersey were under age 25 years, 11% were 25-34, 16% were 35-44, 22% were 45-54, 31% were 55-64, and 18% were 65 years and older. There were increases in the number of PLWH from 2010 through 2021 attributed to male-to-male sex (MSM) (48% increase), other/unknown adult risk factors (28% increase), and heterosexual contact (8% increase) while there was a decrease in PLWH attributed to injection drug use (PWID) (30% decline) and male-to-male sex coupled with injection drug use (MSM+PWID) (11% decline). The number of PLWH attributed to pediatric exposure remained stable during this time period.