hiv041608

Number of state HIV cases highest since '95

Although the number of infections among minorities is small, the rate has been rising sharply, state data show.

By WARREN WOLFE, Star Tribune

Last update: April 15, 2008 - 9:32 PM

The number of new HIV and AIDS cases in Minnesota rose to 325 last year, the highest since 1995, the state Health Department reported Tuesday.

"After several years of decline, we've been seeing a gradual increase in new cases since 2001," said Luisa Pessoa-Brandao, the HIV-AIDS surveillance coordinator for the department.

The virus is spread primarily through unprotected sex, especially among men, and shared intravenous needles. It has been tracked by the Health Department since 1982.

AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a collection of symptoms or infections caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV.

Who gets AIDS or HIV?

Men accounted for 249 of the 325 cases last year. Of those, 52 percent were white, 32 percent black, 13 percent Hispanic and 3 percent other races.

Among the 76 women, 26 percent were white, 54 percent black, 9 percent Hispanic, 7 percent American Indian and 4 percent other.

Overall, 8,504 Minnesotans have had HIV or AIDS diagnosed since 1982, when Minnesota began tracking the disease. Of those, 2,912 have died, the Health Department reported.

How are the numbers changing?

Health officials are seeing increases among both men and women of color, especially immigrants from Africa.

In addition, cases have more than doubled since 2001 among younger males ages 13 to 24 -- up from 18 in 2001 to 38 last year.

While new cases among white males edged up last year from 125 to 129, the number among black men born in the United States rose from 36 to 54, up 42 percent.

New cases among African-born men rose from 18 to 24 last year, up 33 percent. Among Hispanic men, the number dropped from 37 to 33.

But rates of infection are much higher for minority-group members in Minnesota. Compared to whites, infection rates are 13 times higher among U.S.-born blacks, 28 times higher among African-born blacks and eight times higher among Hispanics, the report said.

The racial differences may be because of less education, access to health care, higher poverty, racism and greater drug use, the report said.

What is the state doing?

The state gives about $1.4 million a year in grants for HIV prevention and education.

For more information:

To read the report, go to www.startribune.com/a235.

Minnesota AIDS Hotline, 612-373-2437 or 1-800-248-2437.

Warren Wolfe • 612-673-7253