New York HIV Cases Underreported

NEW YORK: "New York HIV Cases Underreported"
Newsday (Melville) (08.05.08):: Delthia Ricks

Based on CDC's revised estimate of HIV incidence in the United States, there were 6,200 more HIV cases in New York state in 2006 than previously thought, state health officials recently said. The CDC report, based on more accurate data and direct testing that distinguished recent from long-term infections, showed the previous US incidence estimate was too low by about 40 percent. Nationwide, there were 56,300 new HIV infections in 2006, the agency said.

"This new method for estimating the number of new HIV cases provides us with an important tool for better understanding and tracking the number of people infected with HIV," Dr. Richard F. Daines, the state health commissioner, said in a statement. "Our state continues to be heavily impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Through December 2006, New York reported 176,008 cumulative AIDS cases, more than any other state. Approximately 80 percent of new cases are among people of color."

In Suffolk County, there have been 439 new HIV diagnoses so far this year, up from 422 last year and 402 in 2006. Nassau County has reported 52 new diagnoses so far this year and 79 last year, down from 113 in 2006.

In May, the state reported that 70 percent of residents living with HIV are over age 40, and many are facing the burdens of a challenging economy. "What we've been seeing is an increase in the amount of services that people are looking for," such as food aid and clothing, said Karen Ross, chief program officer at the Long Island Association for AIDS Care. "We think that has to do with what is going on in the economy."