§ As of December 2007, almost 7,500 Middle Tennesseans have been reported with AIDS or HIV infection since the epidemic began. This represents 35% of the 21,400 Tennesseans diagnosed statewide.
§ About 5,100 Middle Tennesseans are currently living with HIV infection or AIDS (69% of diagnosed).
§ These are diagnosed individuals; experts believe that another 20% are HIV-infected but do not know it. (Total = 6,100.)
§ Although the majority (72%) live in Davidson County, cases have been reported in every county in the region (and the state).
§ About 300-370 new cases of HIV and AIDS are reported for Middle Tennessee annually.
§ African Americans and Hispanics represent 51 % of new HIV infections in recent years (AA 45%, H 6%). They have been 55% of new HIV infections in the Nashville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA--AA 48%, H 7%).
§ Women are 20% of new HIV infections in Middle Tennessee and 28% of new HIV infections in the Nashville MSA.
§ 18% of new HIV infections are among teenagers or youth under age 25.
§ Older Middle Tennesseans are not immune. About 5% of new HIV infections are among people age 55 or older.
§ Unsafe sexual behavior (both homosexual and heterosexual) are the main transmission factors, accounting for 70%+ of new infections.
§ Although people with HIV/AIDS are living longer, last year someone in Middle Tennessee still died from AIDS every 4-5 days.
