New York City Health Department Releases 2023 HIV Surveillance Data, Commemorates World AIDS Day 2024
The Number of People Newly Diagnosed Rose 7.6 Percent In 2023 Compared With 2022, Though New HIV Infections Estimated to Have Occurred In 2023 Declined 17 Percent
From 2014 to 2023, new HIV diagnoses in New York City decreased 36 percent
NYC Health Department and Partners Host World AIDS Day 2024 Event at Brooklyn Public Library, Announce World AIDS Day Awards
December 4, 2024 — The New York City Health Department (Health Department) today released its 2023 HIV Surveillance Annual Report, showing that 1,686 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in New York City in 2023, an increase of 7.6 percent compared with 2022. However, the number of new HIV infections estimated to have occurred in 2023 decreased by 17 percent from 2022. This divergence in new HIV diagnoses and estimated new HIV infections in 2023 may suggest that while new infections declined, more existing infections were diagnosed for the first time. Newly diagnosed New Yorkers with HIV are linked to HIV medical care, and can then start treatment and achieve viral suppression.
“Despite an increase in new HIV diagnoses from 2022 to 2023, the large decline in estimated infections that occurred this past year may suggest that our efforts to promote HIV testing – particularly among people who have not accessed HIV testing or sexual health care in some time – are having an impact," said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “Yet inequities remain, particularly among Black and Latino New Yorkers, due to unfair access to care and social protections. The Health Department remains focused on prioritizing equitable access to the HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services New Yorkers need to be healthy and thrive."
From 2014 to 2023, new HIV diagnoses in New York City decreased 36 percent. However, this progress has not been experienced equitably across all races and ethnicities, gender identities, age groups, neighborhood poverty levels, and transmission categories, including in recent years. Among all people newly diagnosed with HIV in New York City in 2023:
- 41 percent were Black and 42 percent were Latino.
- 79 percent were men.
- 67 percent were ages 20 to 39 years, and 14 percent were ages 50 years or older.
- 39 percent lived in high or very high poverty ZIP codes at the time of diagnosis.
In 2023, among all people newly diagnosed with HIV with known transmission category, 69 percent were men who have sex with men (MSM), and among all men newly diagnosed with HIV with known transmission category, 91 percent were MSM. Among all women newly diagnosed with HIV, 51 percent were Black and 39 percent were Latina.
Over the last decade, the Health Department has worked with partners to improve HIV care outcomes among people with HIV. In 2023, 88 percent of people with HIV in New York City were receiving HIV medical care, 89 percent of whom were virally suppressed, meaning they had an undetectable viral load on the last viral load measurement of the year. In 2014, 85 percent of people with HIV in New York City were receiving HIV medical care, 81 percent of whom were virally suppressed. People with HIV who are on treatment and maintain an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV through sex.
“On World AIDS Day 2024, we reaffirm our commitment to ending the HIV epidemic and acknowledge the significant progress made against HIV and AIDS,” said Guillermo Chacon, President of the Latino Commission on AIDS and Founder of the Hispanic Health Network. “Our goal for 2025 is to continue striving for health equity and to eradicate homophobia, transphobia, and xenophobia in New York City and across the nation. We will remain focused on balancing prevention and care resources, enhancing community education about the importance of routine HIV testing, and improving access to PrEP and PEP for everyone.”
“On this World AIDS Day, we remember those we’ve lost, and acknowledge the successes we’ve had to date in reaching our goal to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic,” said Jacqui Kilmer, CEO of Harlem United. “Yet we know our successes have not reached all communities. Unacceptable disparities persist in the impact of HIV on Black and Hispanic New Yorkers, transgender New Yorkers and young men who have sex with men. We must redouble our efforts, with new and innovative ways to reach all communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the epidemic. We need meaningful and sustained investments in the social and structural determinants that we know drive HIV health inequities. We remain committed to this fight and are confident that working together — community organizations and our government partners — we can end the epidemic for all communities."
“During this World AIDS Day, I reflect on the remarkable progress New York City has made in HIV prevention and treatment, which has been life-saving for so many, especially people of color,” said Nathaly Rubio-Torio, CEO of Voces Latinas. “New York City continues to lead the way in these advancements. I am proud to say that Voces Latinas is a partner in this vital work. However, we must not forget that the past few years have challenged our ability to reach, serve, and connect with some of the city’s most vulnerable populations, including recent migrants living with HIV. As a welcoming city committed to serving all in need, we must continue to fight for equitable access to care for everyone, regardless of immigration status, health insurance, language, and other barriers. Our partnerships are crucial, and it is more important than ever to work together for our community.”
“We have marked another World AIDS Day, and we honor the lives lost to the HIV epidemic and stand in solidarity with those living with, and impacted by, HIV or AIDS. At Callen-Lorde we know firsthand just how far we have come and celebrate all the incredible progress made – from effective treatments to groundbreaking prevention strategies. Now, we look forward with hope to a future where transformative long-acting products will further revolutionize care and prevention,” said Patrick McGovern, CEO of Callen-Lorde Community Health Center. “Yet, we have to remain vigilant and resist taking this progress for granted. As we prepare for a new federal administration, we recognize the critical need to protect our progress. There is much work ahead, and together, we will continue pushing to realize New York’s bold and ambitious Plan to End AIDS.”
This morning, the Health Department and the New York City World AIDS Day 2024 Planning Committee hosted the World AIDS Day 2024 citywide event at Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Library on Grand Army Plaza. The event featured an overview of 2023 HIV surveillance data, remarks from Health Department leadership and community partners, and live performances. The following individuals received World AIDS Day 2024 awards:
- Kerri Carnevale of New York-Presbyterian Hospital’s Project STAY
- Dr. Maurice O’Brian Franklin of Black AIDS Institute, National Black Justice Coalition, and Second Sunday
- Jessica Guaman of Betances Health Center
- Michael Robeson of National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition, The New School, and Union Theological Seminary
- Diane Tider of Mount Sinai Institute for Advanced Medicine
- New York Knows Co-Chairs
The Health Department’s 2023 HIV Surveillance Annual Reportand additional information on the 2023 data are available on the Health Department’s HIV in NYC: Statistics and Reports webpage. For more information on HIV, visit nyc.gov/health/HIV.
The NYC Sexual Health Clinics and Sexual Health Clinic Hotline offer low- to no-cost services for HIV and other STIs, contraceptive care, and medication abortion. Anyone 12 years or older can receive confidential services, regardless of immigration status. For telemedicine services, call the Sexual Health Clinic Hotline at 347-396-7959, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, including clinic locations, hours of operations, and available services, visit nyc.gov/health/sexualhealthclinics.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Chantal Gomez
PressOffice@health.nyc.gov