NYC HIV Diagnoses Surge by 5.4% Amid Funding Crisis

URGENT UPDATE: New data from New York City reveals a troubling **5.4% increase** in new HIV diagnoses for **2024**, with **1,791 residents** newly affected, as health officials raise alarms over potential funding cuts. This surge comes at a critical time, as city leaders warn that proposed federal budget reductions could jeopardize essential HIV prevention initiatives.

In **Staten Island**, health officials reported **39 new HIV diagnoses** in 2024, contributing to a total of **2,608 borough residents** currently living with the virus. The city has also recorded **44 HIV-related deaths** this year. The stark disparities in new cases are alarming; approximately **86%** of those newly diagnosed are **Black or Latino/Latina**, highlighting deep-rooted issues of **structural racism, poverty, and unequal access to healthcare**, according to the **New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene**.

The backdrop of this public health crisis is a looming threat from the federal government, which has proposed eliminating the entire **Division of HIV Prevention** at the **Centers for Disease Control and Prevention** (CDC), along with cutting **$755 million** in funding aimed at HIV prevention. If these cuts are enacted, New York City’s health department risks losing over **$41 million** critical for identifying new cases, linking individuals to treatment, and providing necessary partner services.

Despite significant progress over the past quarter-century—new diagnoses across the city have decreased by more than **70%** since **2001**—experts express concern that this momentum has stalled. “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.”

The report underscores an urgent need for immediate action to address both the rising infection rates and the potential fallout from funding cuts. As the city braces for possible changes, the health community is calling for increased awareness and advocacy to safeguard essential HIV services.

Residents and advocates are urged to stay informed about developments surrounding federal funding decisions and to engage in conversations about the importance of continued support for HIV prevention efforts.

As the situation continues to unfold, New Yorkers and concerned citizens must remain vigilant and proactive in addressing this public health challenge.