New data from the New York City Department of Health shows a 5.4% increase in HIV diagnoses last year, with 1,791 people testing positive in 2024. According to an annual HIV surveillance report cited by SILive, this marks a continuation of a trend observed over the past four years. The report comes as the federal government has proposed significant cuts to funding that supports HIV treatment and prevention programs.
HIV cases in New York City have been either steadily increasing or remaining stable since 2020. The federal government is considering ending the Division of HIV Prevention at the CDC, which would result in a loss of more than $41 million in funding for New York City and $755 million in CDC HIV prevention funds nationwide, reports Gothamist. Such reductions could affect the capacity to identify and treat new cases and provide partner services.
Racial and socioeconomic disparities remain pronounced among populations most affected by HIV. The city’s report shows that 86% of new diagnoses in 2024 were among Black or Latino individuals. Many of these cases were concentrated in high-poverty neighborhoods. Details obtained by SILive identify structural racism, poverty, housing segregation, and limited access to health care as contributing factors to these disparities.
Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse, in a statement obtained by Gothamist, highlighted progress in addressing HIV in New York City over the past three decades. She also emphasized ongoing challenges, stating that new diagnoses have increased or remained stable for the fourth consecutive year.
City health officials point to poverty, homelessness, limited access to affordable health care, and unmet support services as factors that can increase the risk of HIV infection. The report obtained by Gothamist indicates that nearly half of those newly diagnosed did not have health insurance. The federal government has not responded to requests for comment on the proposed budget cuts.
