By the numbers: HIV/AIDS stigma changing, but infection still spreads
Philadelphia AIDS survivor Suellen Kehler holds some of the more than 20 medications and supplements she takes each day to keep her HIV infection under control. (Emma Lee/WHYY)
Much headway has been made in HIV treatment, with far fewer AIDS deaths today than 20 years ago, when the film “Philadelphia” hit movie screens. HIV is still spreading, and prevention and treatment efforts continue.
HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is spread through sexual fluids, blood-to-blood contact and breast milk. Much headway has been made in its treatment, with far fewer people dying of AIDS today than 20 years ago, when the film “Philadelphia” hit movie theaters, elevating the national conversation about the disease and people living with it. Even so, HIV is still spreading, and prevention and treatment efforts continue.
| 550,000 | Approx. number of Americans who have died from AIDS-related complications |
| 1.1 million | Approx. number of Americans living with HIV |
| 20 | Percentage of Americans infected with HIV who don’t know it |
| 50,000 | Number of new HIV infections in the U.S. each year |
| 19,000 | Estimated number of Philadelphians living with HIV/AIDS |
| 700-800 | Number of annual new HIV infections in Philadelphia. |
Sources: Philadelphia Department of Public Health | CDC
Local HIV resources
Action AIDS
AIDS Law Project
Bebashi
GALAEI
Mazzoni Center
National HIV Testing and Service Locator
Philadelphia FIGHT
State Directory
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Brought to you by The Pulse
The Pulse
Go on an adventure into unexpected corners of the health and science world each week with award-winning host Maiken Scott.
Subscribe for free
