HIV Surveillance Program

HIV Statistics | HIV Surveillance Data Request

HIV Surveillance Update

The primary goals of the HIV Surveillance Program are to:

  1. Collect information about people newly diagnosed or living with HIV.
  2. Ensure that Connecticut HIV surveillance data are complete and accurate.
  3. Conduct routine analysis to monitor trends and assess progress towards key indicators.
  4. Disseminate HIV surveillance data to inform public health partners, the medical community, and the general public about the epidemiology of HIV in Connecticut to measure progress towards national goals and aid in public health planning.

Connecticut HIV surveillance data has been updated to include 2024 cases reported through December 29, 2025. Please note data from 2020 should be interpreted with caution due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to HIV testing & care-related services. Finalized 2025 data will be released January 2027 to allow for reporting delay, de-duplication with other surveillance jurisdictions, and complete death reporting. The year of diagnosis indicates the year HIV infection was first diagnosed, regardless of HIV stage at the time of the diagnosis.

 HIV Incidence in Connecticut

By December 29, 2025, 258 individuals were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2024, resulting in an incidence rate of 7 per 100,000 population. Among these cases, 65 individuals (25%) received an AIDS diagnosis within three months of their initial HIV diagnosis. Additionally, 224 individuals (86.8%) were linked to care within three months, and 250 (97%) within twelve months.

Transmission categories: Transmission categories within the newly diagnosed cases included male-to-male sexual contact (MSM), which accounted for 149 cases (57.8%) and represented the largest category. Heterosexual contact accounted for 82 cases (31.8%), while people who inject drugs (PWID) accounted for 8 cases (3.1%).

Sex at birth:  Male: 205 cases (79.5%), mostly attributed to MSM transmission (72.7%). Female: 53 cases (20.5%), mostly attributed to heterosexual contact (79.2%).

Race and ethnicity: By race and ethnicity, Hispanic individuals represented the largest group with 116 cases (45.0%), and MSM was the leading transmission route (67.2%). Among non-Hispanic Black individuals, there were 93 cases (36.0%), with MSM accounting for 38.7% and a higher proportion attributed to heterosexual contact (52.7%) compared to other groups. Non-Hispanic White individuals accounted for 45 cases (17.4%), predominantly attributed to MSM transmission (68.9%).

Age: Most HIV diagnoses occurred among adults aged 20 to 39 years. Individuals aged 20 to 29 accounted for 87 cases (33.7%), and those aged 30 to 39 accounted for 83 cases (32.2%), together comprising nearly two-thirds of all cases. MSM transmission was predominant among younger age groups, accounting for 78 to 83 percent of cases among individuals under 30 years. In contrast, heterosexual contact was more common in older age groups, representing 54 to 57 percent of cases among individuals aged 40 to 59 years. Fewer diagnoses were reported among individuals under 20 years (12 cases, 4.7%) and those aged 60 years or older (18 cases, 7.0%).

HIV Prevalence in Connecticut

As of December 29, 2025, there were 11,040 individuals living with HIV in 2024, corresponding to a prevalence of 300 per 100,000 population. 

Transmission categories: Male-to-male sexual contact (MSM) represents the largest proportion at 35.6% (3,935 cases), followed by heterosexual contact at 28.9% (3,186 cases), and injection drug use (PWID) at 20.5% (2,268 cases). Cases with unknown transmission account for 7.7%, other categories (perinatal or presumed heterosexual) comprise 4.8%, and combined MSM and injection drug use (MSM+IDU) represent 2.4%.

Sex at birth: Males constitute 67.1% (7,408) of cases, while females account for 32.9% (3,632). Transmission patterns differ substantially: MSM accounts for 53.1% of male cases, whereas heterosexual contact is the predominant mode among females (58.4%), followed by PWID at 24%.

Race and ethnicity: Hispanic residents comprise the largest group (36.7%), followed by non-Hispanic Black individuals (33.0%) and non-Hispanic White individuals (27.7%). Among non-Hispanic White individuals, MSM is the leading transmission category (53.3%), while among non-Hispanic Black individuals, heterosexual contact is most common (39.8%).

Age: The population is predominantly older, with 40% aged 60 years or older and an additional 25.2% aged 50–59, reflecting an aging population with HIV. Only 5.5% are under 30 years of age. Among younger cases (20–29 years), MSM accounts for 68.4%, whereas injection drug use is more prevalent among the oldest group (31.9% of those aged 60 and above).

Data Security and Confidentiality

The HIV Surveillance Program maintains a comprehensive Data Security and Confidentiality Policy for the TB, HIV, STD and Viral Hepatitis Programs. The policy is updated annually or as needed to assure compliance with state and federal regulations and best practices pertaining to Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and Protected Health Information (PHI).

HIV Surveillance Program
410 Capitol Ave, MS# 11ASV
PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134

Telephone: (860) 509-7900
Fax: (860) 509-8237
Email: hivsurveillance.dph@ct.gov