HIV Rates Just Hit a Historic Low in NYC
In late November, the de Blasio Administration announced that the number of new HIV diagnoses in New York City has reached an all-time low, including decreases among cisgender and transgender men and cisgender and transgender women. Planned Parenthood of New York City celebrates this historic low and pledges to continue to do all we can to end this epidemic once and for all.
New York City has come a long way in the fight against HIV through high-quality health care and education, and this report shows that we are making progress in addressing this epidemic. But our work is not done. Women of color and men of color continue to be disproportionately impacted by HIV. Despite rates decreasing among most groups, rates actually slightly increased in Latinx communities.
To eradicate this epidemic once and for all, we need to make sure that New Yorkers of all genders and identities are getting HIV tests and know that HIV prevention options — PrEP and PEP — are available to them. We also need to make sure that all New Yorkers who are HIV positive are quickly connected to high-quality care and have access to long-term housing and other basic needs so that they can focus on their health and not have to worry about housing and paying the bills.
PPNYC is committed to continuing to work together with our community partners and city leaders to make sure that people of all backgrounds have access to the care and resources they need and deserve to prevent and treat HIV.
According to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s report, from 2016 to 2017, the number of new HIV diagnoses among women, including cisgender and transgender women, decreased by 11.6 percent. This includes declines among Latina, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Black women (28 percent, 21 percent, and 8 percent declines, respectively). From 2016 to 2017, the number of new HIV diagnoses among men, including cisgender and transgender men, decreased by 3.6 percent, with rates among men who have sex with men remaining stable. The rate of HIV among Latino men increased slightly.
Planned Parenthood of New York City has worked to decrease HIV rates and support HIV positive individuals by adding PrEP and PEP at all of our health centers, and by connecting HIV positive individuals to treatment, providing support groups and addressing other basic needs through our Project Street Beat program.
Patients can book an appointment for PrEP, HIV testing, or any of PPNYC’s other services by calling 212–965–7000. PPNYC has five health centers, one in each borough.
