In 1981, a new infectious disease, AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, was identified in the US. Several years later, the causative agent of AIDS-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-was discovered. This discovery coincided with the growing recognition of AIDS in the US as part of a global infectious disease pandemic.

Currently, HIV/AIDS has been reported in virtually every racial and ethnic population, every age group, and every socioeconomic group in every state and most large cities in the US. HIV/AIDS remains a significant cause of illness, disability, and death in the US, despite declines in 1996 and 1997. (US DHHS, 2000).

How to access information in this section Click on each heading to view and/or print a Portable Document Format (PDF) file of that sub- section. Please note that each PDF includes this page and the references and resources for this section. Refer to the bulleted list below each heading to view the subheadings contained in that section of the Informatic Sheet. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader, please download a free copy. Please use the Return to Health Topics Grid icon, located in the top right-hand corner of the page to access the other health topics and the overview document. Download whole section [PDF, KB] Prevalence and Incidence [PDF, KB] Place of Origin Men, Women, and Age Groups Gay and Bisexual Men Teens and Children Risk Factors and Challenges [PDF, KB] Risk Groups Factors Contributing to Risky Behavior Lack of Access to Insurance Late Testing Transmission Patterns Knowledge and Communication Diet [PDF, KB] Adherence Factors [PDF, KB] References and Resources [PDF, KB]