AIDS Facts
As of November 2010, it is estimated that there are currently just under 40 million people infected with HIV worldwide. Over 25 million people have succumbed to AIDS since we began tracking the disease. Currently 7,400 people contract HIV every day and roughly 5,500 people die of AIDS every day.
In the United States more than 1,200,000 individuals have been diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. To date we have lost greater than 575,000 Americans to AIDS.
In Florida, more than 165,000 have been reported with HIV/AIDS and roughly 66,000 Floridians have died. Compared to all other states, Florida is 3rd among adults and 2nd among women and children living with HIV/AIDS. One out of every 9 new diagnoses in the United States occurs in Florida, and one out of every 7 AIDS deaths occurs here. In Florida roughly 25% of all new infections are in the under 25 age group and another 25% is in the over 50 age group.
In Southwest Florida, there are an estimated 3,000 persons living with HIV/AIDS. It costs a few dollars to prevent a new HIV infection, but an average of $700,000 is spent on medical treatment for each new HIV case. Research has revealed a great deal of valuable medical, scientific, and public health information about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
The ways in which HIV can be transmitted have been clearly identified. Unfortunately, false information or statements that are not supported by scientific findings continue to be shared widely through the Internet or popular press. Therefore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has prepared a fact sheet to correct a few misperceptions about HIV. Click here to view the fact sheet.
