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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Michael L. Campsmith, DDS, MPH, HIV Incidence and Case Surveillance Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E-47, Atlanta, GA 30333, 404-639-5174, mcampsmith@cdc.gov and Denise Hughes, Information Systems Support, Northrop Grumman, 1600 Clifton Road NE, Mailstop E-47, Atlanta, GA 30333.

Background: The Asian/Pacific Islander (API) population is relatively small but rapidly increasing (2004 U.S. census estimate: 15 million). Although only 1% of overall HIV and AIDS cases, infection rates among API have risen significantly in recent years. Methods: Analysis of AIDS surveillance data from the entire U.S. and HIV/AIDS data from 33 states with name-based HIV surveillance since 2000. Data are adjusted for reporting delays and redistribution of unknown HIV transmission categories. Results: An estimated 7317 API have been diagnosed with AIDS since 1981, with 55% still living. In the 33 states the estimated annual rate of HIV/AIDS among API significantly increased from 5.6/100,000 in 2001 to 7.2/100,000 in 2004. An estimated 488 API were diagnosed with AIDS in 2004: 81% men, 19% women and <1% children under age 13 years. Transmission among API men was 66% men who have sex with men (MSM), 12% injection drug use (IDU), and 16% high-risk heterosexual contact (HET); transmission among API women was 17% IDU and 78% HET. Compared to whites, API with AIDS were more likely under age 35 (33% vs. 22%) and infected through HET (25% vs. 16%). Conclusions: There is rapid expansion of the API population, and rates of HIV/AIDS among API are increasing significantly. Characteristics of the API population—such as young age and linguistic/cultural isolation—may contribute to HIV risk behavior and increasing infection rates. Culturally-appropriate strategies to prevent HIV transmission, as well as encourage people to learn their HIV status, are necessary to decrease new infections among API.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) will be able to

• Describe ther recent trends in HIV/AIDS among Asians/Pacific Islanders (API) in the United States.
• Identify the major HIV transmission categories for API men and women, in comparison to other races/ethnicities.
• Evaluate potential contributing factors to HIV transmission among API.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Epidemiology

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation