The latest HIV Surveillance Annual Report for New York City reveals an alarming increase in HIV diagnoses, raising concerns among health officials about potential federal funding cuts. In 2024, there were 1,791 new diagnoses of HIV reported across the city, reflecting a 5.4% increase compared to the previous year. This uptick highlights ongoing challenges in managing the epidemic, particularly as resources become increasingly strained.
In Staten Island alone, there were 39 new diagnoses in 2024, contributing to a total of 2,608 borough residents living with HIV. The report also noted 44 HIV-related deaths in the area, underscoring the critical health implications of the disease.
The report indicates significant racial and ethnic disparities in new HIV diagnoses, attributing these inequities to factors such as structural racism, poverty, housing segregation, and unequal access to health care. According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, approximately 86% of those newly diagnosed in 2024 identified as Black or Latino/Latina.
As the city grapples with these challenges, looming federal budget cuts pose a significant threat to ongoing prevention and treatment efforts. Reports indicate that the federal government plans to eliminate the entire Division of HIV Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with a proposed cut of $755 million in funding for HIV prevention programs. If these cuts are enacted, New York City’s health department could lose over $41 million in vital funding, which is essential for outreach, treatment connection, and partner services for newly diagnosed patients.
Despite these setbacks, there has been progress in the fight against HIV over the past 25 years. Data shows that new diagnoses across all five boroughs have decreased by more than 70% since 2001. Nonetheless, health experts emphasize that recent years have seen a stagnation in progress.
“In the last three decades, we’ve made immense progress toward ending the HIV epidemic in New York City,” stated Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “Yet this progress has stalled as new diagnoses have increased or remained stable for the fourth year in a row.”
As the situation develops, the impact of potential funding cuts on public health initiatives may have lasting implications for the city’s fight against HIV. Continued monitoring and advocacy will be crucial to ensure that progress made over the years is not undone.
