Nashville Cares

HIV/AIDS in Middle Tennessee

§       As of December 2008, almost 7,000 Middle Tennesseans have been reported with AIDS or HIV infection since the epidemic began. This represents 35% of the 20,500 Tennesseans diagnosed statewide.

§   About 5,300 Middle Tennesseans are currently living with HIV infection or AIDS (75% of diagnosed).

§   These are diagnosed individuals; experts believe that another 20% are HIV-infected but do not know it. (Total = 6,400.)

§   Although the majority (71%) live in Davidson County, cases have been reported in every county in the region (and the state).

§       About 270 new cases of HIV reported annually; 350 new diagnosed cases of HIV and AIDS. (Another 80 individuals previously reported with HIV were diagnosed with AIDS last year.)

§       Reported annual new infections have increased 35% over the past 5 years, though this is probably due as much to expanded HIV testing as it is to any increase in risky behaviors.

§       African Americans and Hispanics represent 54 % of new HIV infections in recent years (AA 47%, H 7%)

§       Women represent 22% of new HIV infections in Middle Tennessee, 65% of whom are African American women.

§       Men who have Sex with men (MSM) account for 52% of new HIV infections of whom white and black men are represented in roughly equal numbers.

§       15% of new HIV infections are among teenagers or youth under age 25. This is far below the national average though it is unclear if that means that youth are less risky or tend not to be tested as adolescents. Other indicators (STDs, teenage pregnancy rates) would suggest that unprotected sexual behavior is widespread among youth.

§       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..

§       The number of AIDS related deaths has again declined about 60% over the past five years. Yet people still die from the disease--last year almost 60 men and women died from AIDS.

From data provided by the TN Department of Health.
Compiled by Nashville CARES.

HIV/AIDS in Greater Nashville

§ As of December 2008, more than 6,300 residents of the 13 counties that make up the metropolitan Nashville region (MSA) have been reported with AIDS or HIV infection. This represents 31% of the 20,500 Tennesseans diagnosed statewide.

§ Almost 4,700 Middle Tennesseans are currently living with HIV infection or AIDS (75% of diagnosed).

§ These are diagnosed individuals; experts believe that another 20% are HIV-infected but do not know it. (Total = 5,600.)

§ Although the majority (80%) live in Davidson County, cases have been reported in every county in the MSA.

§ About 225 new cases of HIV reported annually; 300 new diagnosed cases of HIV and AIDS.

§ African Americans and Hispanics represent 60 % of local new HIV infections in recent years (AA 54%, H 6%)

§ Women represent 25% of local new HIV infections, 70% of whom are African American women.

§ Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) accounted for 50% of new HIV infections with roughly equal numbers of white and black men represented.

§ 15% of new HIV infections are among teenagers or youth under age 25. This is far below the national average though it is unclear if that means that youth are less risky or tend not to be tested as adolescents. Other indicators (STDs, teenage pregnancy rates) would suggest that unprotected sexual behavior is widespread among youth.

§ Older Middle Tennesseans are not immune. About 23% of new HIV infections are among people age 45 or older and 3% are age 55 or older.

§ About 21% of those living in the region with HIV/AIDS were diagnosed concurrently with AIDS and HIV infection and another 7% were diagnosed with AIDS within one year of their HIV diagnosis. Although these percentages have declined in recent years, they show a continued need for efforts to help HIV-infected people learn their status and get linked to care earlier in the disease when treatment can be most effective and most cost-effective.

From data provided by the Tennessee Department of Health.
Compiled by Nashville CARES