HIV/AIDS in North America
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
As of 2016, it is estimated that there are 1.5 million adults and children living with HIV/AIDS in North America, excluding Central America and the Caribbean.[1] 70,000 adults and children are newly infected every year, and the overall adult prevalence[clarification needed] is 0.5%.[1] 26,000 people in North America (again, excluding Central America and the Caribbean) die from AIDS every year.[1]
HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in North America vary from 0.23% in Mexico to 3.22% in The Bahamas.[2]
HIV/AIDS in Antigua and Barbuda
Since the country's first HIV diagnosis in December 1985, reported cases of HIV have consistently increased through 2023.[3][4] While the prevalence of HIV has persisted in both men and women ages 15 to 24, it remains relatively low at 0.2% as of 2024.[5] The government and its implementation partners have facilitated free, confidential HIV testing, along with offering free antiretroviral medication.[6]
HIV/AIDS in The Bahamas
After a rapid increase from 1990 to 1995, the number of people of all ages living with HIV in the Bahamas has persisted at 4,100 to 4,500 total annually.[7] In 2013, the adult prevalence rate was estimated to be 3.22%, which decreased to 1% of the general population in 2021.[2] Of newly diagnosed HIV cases in 2021, the majority were males, persons aged 30 - 49, and persons living on the New Providence island.[8]
HIV/AIDS in Barbados
There has been a significant annual increase of people living with HIV/AIDS in Barbados, from less than 500 in 1990 to 2,400 in 2023.[9] In 2013, the adult prevalence rate was estimated to be 0.88%, which increased to 1.5% in 2019 and was approximately 1% in 2022.[2][10] Although the majority of people living with HIV know their status, only 52% are on treatment and only 46% are virally repressed.[10] In 2018, after the Bahamas, Barbados became the second country in the English-speaking Caribbean to implement PrEP in its HIV prevention strategy nationally.
HIV/AIDS in Belize
As of 2023, the adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Belize was estimated to be 1.10%, or about 3,600 - 3,800 people total, which is relatively high for the region.[2][11][12] This reflects a significant and consistent annual increase of cases since 1990.[11] In 2007 - 2011, the HIV prevalence rate was estimated to be as high as 2.1% among adults, which at the time was the highest in Central America and third-highest in the broader Caribbean after the Bahamas and Haiti.[13]
HIV/AIDS in Canada
As of 2012, the adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Canada was estimated at 0.30%.[2] There has been a steady increase of people living with HIV in Canada, beginning at 31,000 in 1990 and now estimated at 64,000 in 2023.[14] Stronger than this trend is the coverage of people receiving antiretroviral therapy, which has spiked from less than 1% in 1990 - 1995 to nearly 80% by 2021.[14]
HIV/AIDS in Costa Rica
As of 2014, the adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Costa Rica was estimated to be 0.26%.[2] This reflects a consistent annual increase in people living with HIV, which has grown to exceed 20,000 in 2023.[15] Since 2000, there has also been a continued increase in new HIV infections each year through 2023.[15] An annual increase in coverage of people receiving antiretroviral therapy since 2000 has also matched these trends.[15]
HIV/AIDS in Cuba
As of 2014, the adult prevalence rate pf HIV/AIDS in Cuba was estimated to be 0.25%.[2] More recently, UNAIDS reports a steady annual increase of people living with HIV in Cuba, reported to be as high as 41,000 people in 2023, with a corresponding increase to 70% coverage of people receiving antiretroviral treatment.[16] Cuba's policies of mandatory quarantining of HIV-positive individuals and mandatory HIV testing are unique to the region.[17][18][19]
HIV/AIDS in the Dominican Republic
As of 2012, the adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in the Dominican Republic was estimated to be 0.68%, which increased to 1% in 2023 to be considered a concentrated epidemic.[2][20][21]
HIV/AIDS in El Salvador
As of 2012, the adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in El Salvador was estimated to be 0.60%.[2]
HIV/AIDS in Grenada
HIV/AIDS in Guatemala
As of 2023, the adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Guatemala was estimated to be 0.20%.[2]
HIV/AIDS in Haiti
As of 2014, the adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Haiti was estimated to be 1.93%.[2]
HIV/AIDS in Honduras
As of 2012, the adult prevalence rate HIV/AIDS in Honduras was estimated to be 0.50%.[2]
HIV/AIDS in Jamaica
As of 2012, the adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Jamaica was estimated to be 1.70%.[2]
HIV/AIDS in Mexico
As of 2014, the adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Mexico was estimated to be 0.23%.[2]
HIV/AIDS in Nicaragua
As of 2012, the adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Nicaragua was estimated to be 0.30%.[2]
HIV/AIDS in Panama
As of 2012, the adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Panama was estimated to be 0.70%.[2]
HIV/AIDS in Saint Kitts and Nevis
HIV/AIDS in Saint Lucia
HIV/AIDS in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
HIV/AIDS in Trinidad and Tobago
As of 2012, the adult prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS in Trinidad and Tobago was estimated to be 1.60%.[2]
HIV/AIDS in the United States
In 2012, the adult prevalence rate was estimated to be 0.60%.[2] African-Americans are at the highest risk of contracting HIV in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC), African-American accounted for 44% of all new HIV infections in the United States between 2010 and 2016, although African-Americans make up roughly 12% of the American population.[22] The extent of the HIV/AIDS crisis within the African-American community is an indication that the solution will also need to be multi-faceted ranging from increasing access to health care to reducing the stigma that HIV and homosexuality has within the African-American community.
