HIV Diagnoses Among Persons Aged 13–29 Years — United States, 2010–2014

Abstract

What is already known about this topic? In 2014, persons aged 13–29 years represented 23% of the U.S. population, yet accounted for 40% of diagnoses of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the United States during the same year. What is added by this report? HIV diagnoses analyzed by age groups revealed striking differences in rates of diagnosis of HIV infection between ages 13–21 years. During 2010–2014, HIV infection diagnosis rates per 100,000 population varied substantially with increasing age among persons aged 13–15 years (0.7), 16–17 years (4.5), 18–19 years (16.5), and 20–21 years (28.6). HIV diagnosis rates were higher, but less variable, among persons aged 22–23 years (34.0), 24–25 years (33.8), 26–27 years (31.3), and 28–29 years (28.7). What are the implications for public health practice? The findings underscore the importance of using a multifaceted approach and targeting primary prevention efforts to persons aged <18 years and continuing through the period of elevated risk in their mid-twenties. The