North America-Adult Prevalence Rate-0.6%

The HIV epidemic in the United States disproportionately affects African Americans; though they represent only 12% of the American population, over half of new infections in recent years have been amongst this demographic. African American women are even more disproportionately affected as they account for up to 72% of new HIV diagnoses in American women. Poverty is known to increase vulnerability to HIV infection, and some American studies have shown a close link between higher HIV incidence and lower income. It is estimated that one in four African Americans live in poverty. AIDS is now one of the top three causes of death among African American men aged 25-54 and African American women aged 35-44.
The epidemic for American men is mainly driven by injecting drug use and men having sex with men. Heterosexual intercourse, however, accounts for most new HIV diagnoses in women. The main risk factor for many women appears to be the secret risk behavior of their male partners. The majority of Americans living with HIV are men who have sex with men.
Recent estimates put the number of Canadians infected with HIV at 56,000 at the end of 2002. Most new infections in Canada are among men who have sex with men and injecting drug users.