HIV-infected inmates (%)

The numbers of HIV infections are stable, but they're disproportionately affecting more minority gay men, according to a troubling new analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The four largest demographic categories of infection were white MSM, black MSM, Hispanic MSM, and black women. Blacks constitute 14 percent of the U.S. population but 44 percent of HIV infections, the analysis showed.



Researchers increasingly believe that the "community level" of HIV infection is another important explanation for the higher rates of new infections among blacks. "While we are glad that number is not increasing ... the number of HIV infections remains far too high," Frieden said. According to the study, "the largest number of new HIV infections was among white men who have sex with men." While prevention has "averted significant increases" in new infections, the large and growing number of people living with HIV infections means more people can transmit the virus.