When looking at statistics related to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, it is important to be aware of whether the data refers to HIV, AIDS or HIV/AIDS. In the first years of the epidemic (1980-1995), surveillance of the epidemic was largely based upon AIDS data. As our understanding of HIV evolved, treatments delayed progression from HIV to AIDS and surveillance capabilities became increasingly sophisticated, a systematic transition to HIV surveillance developed.

With the information provided, we have made every effort to clearly indicate whether the data refers to HIV, AIDS, or HIV/AIDS data. To the extent possible, we have attempted to provide information that will allow you to form some comparisons of the epidemic on a global, national, statewide, regional and local level.

For further information pertaining to the intricacies of HIV/AIDS surveillance, go to www.cdc.gov/hiv/ and click on statistics & surveillance.

GLOBAL STATISTICS

UNAIDS estimates the HIV epidemic is having the following effects, upon world health, as of 2007:

• Total Number of people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide – 33 million
• Total Number of adults living with HIV/AIDS worldwide – 30.8 million
• Total Number of women living with HIV/AIDS worldwide – 15.5 million
• Total Number of children, under age 15, living with HIV/AIDS worldwide – 2.0 million
• Total Number of people newly infected with HIV in 2007 –
  2.7 million
• Total number of adults newly infected with HIV in 2007 –
  2.3 million
• Total number of children, under age 15, newly infected with HIV in 2007 – 370,000
• Total Number of people who died of AIDS related complications in 2007 – 2.0 million
• Total Number of adults who died of AIDS related complications in 2007 – 1.8 million
• Total Number of children, under age 15, who died of AIDS related complications in 2007 – 270,000
• Number of new infection occurring worldwide, each day of 2007 – greater than 7,400 (or more than 300 infections every hour of every day).

For further information on the global epidemic, go to www.unaids.org

UNITED STATES STATISTICS

The most recent data available through the Kaiser Family Foundation – the leading health policy communications foundation focusing on the major health care issues facing the U.S. – indicates the HIV epidemic continues to have a significant impact upon our national health:

• Since 1981, 1.7 million people in the U.S. are estimated to have been infected with HIV.
• More than 1.1 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. today.
• An estimated 56,300 people were newly infected with HIV in the United States in 2006.
• 14,627 people, in the U.S., died of AIDS related complications in 2006.
• Approximately 21% of those infected with HIV, in the U.S., are unaware of their infection.
• Women accounted for 27% of new HIV infections in 2006.
• Persons between the ages of 13-29 accounted for 34% of new HIV infections in 2006.
• Men who have sex with men accounted for 53% of new HIV infections in 2006.

For further information on the national epidemic, go to www.kff.org

PENNSYLVANIA STATISTICS

The Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of HIV/AIDS, is responsible for surveillance of the HIV epidemic throughout the Commonwealth. Their semi-annual summaries, and related reports pertaining to the epidemic, can be accessed in full at www.dsf.health.state.pa.us/

• Since 1980, a cumulative total of 33,791 Pennsylvania residents have been diagnosed with AIDS.
• As of December 2006, there were 17,364 Pennsylvania residents known to be living with AIDS.
• As of December 2006, there were an additional 11,259 Pennsylvania residents documented as living with HIV.
• There were 1,492 people newly diagnosed with AIDS in PA in 2006. Of those diagnosed with AIDS in 2006, 35% attributed their HIV infection to heterosexual contact.
• Of those diagnosed with AIDS in 2006, 29% attributed their HIV infection to male-to-male sexual contact.
• Of those diagnosed with AIDS in 2006, 23% attributed their HIV infection to injection drug use.
• Women accounted for 29% of the new AIDS diagnoses in PA in 2006.
• There were 1,661 people newly diagnosed with HIV in PA in 2006.
• Women accounted for 33% of the new HIV diagnoses in PA in 2006.
• Persons between the ages of 13-29 accounted for 26% of the new HIV diagnoses in PA in 2006.

AIDSNET REGIONAL STATISTICS

For purposes of HIV related funding and planning, Pennsylvania is divided into six regional coalitions (excluding Philadelphia). Berks and Schuylkill counties are part of the AIDSNET Coalition (along with Carbon, Lehigh, Monroe and Northampton counties). Extensive data regarding the state of the epidemic in the AIDSNET region can be found in the Coalition Regional Services and Strategic Plan at www.aidsnetpa.org

• Since 1980, a cumulative total of 2,420 residents of the region have been diagnosed with AIDS.
• As of December 2006, there were 1,367 residents of the region known to be living with AIDS.
• Women accounted for 32% of those living with AIDS in the region.
• As of December 2006, there were an additional 1,102 residents of the region documented as living with HIV.
• Women accounted for 41% of those living with HIV in the region.
• Persons between the ages of 13-29 accounted for 27% of those living with HIV in the region.

BERKS & SCHUYLKILL COUNTIES STATISTICS

Co-County Wellness Services has been providing services to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Berks and Schuylkill Counties since 1985. In 1988, CCWS began tracking the clients served; to date we have provided case management services for close to 2,000 PLWHA. Following is a brief synopsis of cumulative data, along with recent case management trends for PLWHA in our community.

• Since 1980, a cumulative total of 979 residents of our two-county area have been diagnosed with AIDS.
• As of December 2006, there were 503 residents of our two-county area known to be living with AIDS.
• Women accounted for 30% of those living with AIDS in our two-county area.
• As of December 2006, there were an additional 393 residents in the two-county area documented as living with HIV.
• Between the years of 2003-2008, there were 242 PLWHA new to CCWS services. Of these 242 individuals:
  37% were female.
  24% were Black, and 24% were White.
  48% indicated they were infected through heterosexual contact.
  31% indicated they were infected through injection drug use.
  16% indicated through male-to-male sexual contact.