Though the number of people contracting HIV throughinjection drug use in the United States is declining, injection drug usersstill account for 9 percent of all new HIV cases, according to the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention (CDC). Of the 10,073 injection drug usersinterviewed by the CDC, 9 percent were HIV positive and 45 percent of thosewere unaware of their status. The CDC also found that although participantswere engaging in high risk activities, including sharing syringes and engagingin unprotected sex, only 49 percent of people reported having been tested forHIV in the past 12 months. The CDC is asking for an increase in HIV preventionprograms and testing efforts among injection drug users to bring down rates.  

To read the CDC statement, click here.