The city’s latest HIV Surveillance Annual Report shows that progress toward ending the HIV epidemic has stalled.
According to the 2024 findings, new HIV diagnoses in New York City increased or held steady for the fourth year in a row, breaking from the consistent declines recorded before 2020.
In 2024, the city recorded 1,791 new HIV diagnoses, a 5.4% jump from 2023. Estimated new infections also rose sharply, climbing 17% year over year. Health officials warn that these setbacks come as federal support for HIV testing, treatment and prevention faces unprecedented threats.
City health leaders point to multiple drivers behind the rise. Affordable and accessible health care remains out of reach for many residents, while poverty, unstable housing, lack of insurance and unmet social support needs heighten vulnerability. Ongoing stigma and discrimination also discourage screening and treatment. Providers and patients alike frequently underestimate HIV risk, leaving prevention conversations and testing opportunities on the table.
Use of PrEP has increased dramatically in the past decade, yet disparities persist. Uptake remains lowest among people ages 20 to 29, women, Black and Latino New Yorkers, groups that already face disproportionate risk. Many who are most vulnerable report negative or mistrustful interactions with the health care system, creating additional barriers to prevention and care.
“Our health outcomes in New York City remain inequitable across race and ethnicity, neighborhood, and income, and HIV is no exception," said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse.
Persistent Inequities Across Race, Neighborhood and Income
Racial and economic disparities remain stark. The report shows that 86% of people newly diagnosed in 2024 were Black or Latino, and 91% of newly diagnosed women were Black or Latina. Among newly diagnosed people with a known transmission category, men who have sex with men accounted for 65% and 82% of them were Black or Latino.
New Yorkers living in high-poverty neighborhoods continue to be heavily affected, making up 42% of new diagnoses despite representing only 32% of the city’s population. Social needs among newly diagnosed residents are widespread: nearly half reported lacking health insurance, more than a third faced housing insecurity and 13% had unmet food and nutrition needs.
Federal Cuts Threaten Ground Gained Over Decades
The report lands at a moment when federal policymakers are considering severe cuts that would undermine HIV prevention nationwide. Proposals include shutting down the CDC’s Division of HIV Prevention and eliminating more than $755 million in federal HIV prevention funding. If enacted, New York City would lose over $41 million used for critical services such as treatment linkage, PrEP and PEP navigation, expanded community testing, and sexual health clinic support.
Additional policy changes, ranging from Medicaid cuts and new work requirements to reduced public health research funding and the possible expiration of Affordable Care Act subsidies, are expected to push health costs higher and reduce access to care. Housing funding shifts at the federal level further jeopardize stability for thousands of vulnerable New Yorkers, including many living with HIV.
Health officials warn that these combined threats could erode decades of progress and deepen existing inequities.
The full 2024 HIV Surveillance Annual Report and related resources are available at nyc.gov/hivreports. For more information on HIV in New York City, visit nyc.gov/health/HIV.
