Rate of new HIV cases up in Minnesota

Minnesota recorded 307 new HIV cases in 2004, an 11% increase over the 266 infections it reported in 2003, according to the state health department. Infections among African-American and Latino populations were 10 and seven times greater, respectively, than for whites. The state's African-born residents experienced infection rates 30 times greater than that seen among whites. The department notes that whites were typically diagnosed at an earlier stage of infection than other racial groups. For instance, 59% of Latinos and 46% of African-born residents had already progressed to AIDS when their HIV infection was diagnosed. "This means that they have missed the health benefits of early treatment and may have unknowingly spread the disease to others," says Harry Hull, state epidemiologist. Gay and bisexual men made up 50% of all diagnoses during the past three years, despite accounting for only 5% of the population. "Over time, we have noticed that certain communities bear the greatest burdens of the disease," says Hull. "Women of color make up only 10% of the total female population in the state, yet they represent a vast majority of the cases among females." That disproportion was most apparent in minority women ages 13-24, the department says. (AP)