| New York City remains the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S. More than 100,000 New Yorkers are living with HIV, but thousands don't know they are infected. HIV is the 3rd leading cause of death in persons below age 65 in NYC. HIV is also the health problem with the largest racial disparity; 80% of new AIDS diagnoses and deaths are among African Americans and Hispanics.
People who are unaware of whether or not they are infected with HIV cannot get effective care, are more likely to become severely ill and die sooner, and are more likely to infect others. In 2004, 1,038 New Yorkers first learned they had HIV when they were already sick with AIDS. They had been infected with HIV for 10 years on average, but were not tested despite multiple contacts with the health care and other systems.
Early diagnosis allows patients to receive treatment and care earlier. This prevents hospitalizations, improves quality of life, and prolongs life. Testing can also reduce the spread of HIV: HIV-positive people who know their status reduce risky behaviors by about half.
Private funding through the Fund for Public Health in New York is supporting efforts by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to increase support for routine voluntary testing for HIV.
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