New York City has reported an alarming increase in HIV diagnoses, with health officials expressing concern over potential federal budget cuts impacting vital prevention programs. According to the latest HIV Surveillance Annual Report, a total of 1,791 residents were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2024, marking a 5.4% increase compared to 2023. The data highlights a pressing public health issue as funding challenges loom.
In Staten Island, the situation mirrors the citywide trend, with 39 new HIV diagnoses reported this year. Currently, 2,608 residents of the borough are living with HIV, and there have been 44 HIV-related deaths. The report emphasizes the stark racial and ethnic disparities seen in new HIV diagnoses, attributing these inequities to systemic issues such as structural racism, poverty, and inadequate access to healthcare.
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene highlighted that approximately 86% of those newly diagnosed in 2024 identified as Black or Latino/Latina. These disparities reflect long-standing societal challenges that need to be addressed to improve health outcomes across different communities.
As the city grapples with these rising numbers, federal funding cuts threaten to exacerbate the situation. The federal government has proposed eliminating the entire Division of HIV Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and cutting $755 million in funding for HIV prevention initiatives. If these cuts are enacted, the New York City health department could lose over $41 million, which is crucial for identifying newly diagnosed individuals, connecting them to treatment, and offering partner services.
Despite significant progress over the past 25 years, experts indicate that improvements have stalled. Since 2001, new diagnoses in New York City have decreased by more than 70%, but the last four years have seen only minor fluctuations in the number of new cases.
Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse acknowledged the progress made in combatting the HIV epidemic but emphasized the need for renewed efforts. “In the last three decades, we’ve made immense progress toward ending the HIV epidemic in New York City,” she stated. “Yet this progress has stalled as new diagnoses have increased or remained stable for the fourth year in a row.”
The city’s health officials are now urging stakeholders to advocate for continued funding to support ongoing prevention and treatment efforts. The rising number of diagnoses coupled with potential funding cuts highlights an urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address these public health challenges effectively.
