5. Stop the Spread of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections
New York City remains the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States; more than 100,000 New Yorkers are living with the infection and thousands are unaware of their status. From 2001 to 2007, the number of New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS has increased by more than 17,000. New HIV infections among young men who have sex with men (MSM) have been rising over the past decade, compared to men older than 30 who have sex with men, among whom new infection rates are declining. Each year, more than 1,000 people in New York City first find out that they are HIV-positive when they are already sick with AIDS.
Approximately 75,000 New Yorkers were diagnosed in 2008 with gonorrhea, syphilis or Chlamydia; many more are undiagnosed and untreated. These infections can cause infertility, genital tract cancers, miscarriage and infections in newborns. Individuals with these sexually transmitted infections are two to five times more likely to acquire HIV, and HIV-infected individuals who also have other sexually transmitted infections are more likely to transmit HIV to their sex partners. Thus, screening, testing and treatment/management of other sexually transmitted infections are important and effective tools to prevent the spread of HIV.
DOHMH: Bureau of HIV/AIDS
DOHMH:Bureau of Sexually Transmitted Disease
