Almost 17,000 cases of HIV infection were identified throughout New York state during the last seven months of 2000, according to a report released Friday as required by a recent law.

Of the 16,866 cases reported, the State Health Department said 2,817 were initial HIV diagnoses; 9,036 were known HIV cases reported to the state for the first time; and 5,013 were initial AIDS diagnoses, all from June 1 to December 31, 2000.

"The case reporting law has been in effect for almost two years, and this is the first instance of state data related to HIV that our state has had," said Michael Kink, legislative counsel for Housing Works, an AIDS advocacy organization. "We've tracked and reported AIDS cases prior to now. This is the first time we know how many HIV infections."

However, patients aren't required to tell who they've had sex with. "They basically give folks a chance to tell their contacts themselves, but they also offer for public health officials to make those contacts as well," Kink said. "Most people do not want to notify their contacts."

The Health Department said 1,383 partners were notified of their possible exposure. "This law is saving lives," said state Sen. Guy Vella, a Bronx Republican. The department is still processing the HIV reports for 2001, but it estimates there are approximately 130,000 cases of infection statewide.

The data show a greater proportion of females among newly diagnosed HIV cases, more younger people and more blacks than among AIDS cases, the department said.

20020601
WO2002-0606

Copyright © 2002 - Women Alive Reproduced with permission of Women Alive, 1566 S. Burnside Ave., Mid-City Los Angeles, CA 90019; Phone (323) 965-1564, FAX: (323) 965-9886. You need permission from Women Alive to make more than one copy of any article in this section.

ÆGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, iMetrikus, Inc., the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2002. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

ÆGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1985, 2001. ÆGiS. All materials appearing on ÆGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of ÆGIS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.