New estimates show that one in five HIV-positive people in the United States is unaware of his or her status; the previous estimate was one in four, according to recent estimates in the October 3 issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and reported by aidsmap.com.
 
The latest projections of the number of HIV-positive people in the United States are based on names-based reporting from 40 states. Researchers calculated that in 2006 slightly more than 1.1 million adults were living with HIV in the country, of which 21 percent were undiagnosed. This compares with a previous estimate of 25 percent.

“This is very good news, and although more needs to be done, we should be extremely pleased to see this important sign of progress,” said Richard Wolitski, PhD, acting director of the CDC’s Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention.