2018 HIV data not available
Last updated February 25, 2019
From 2010 to 2017, the number of new HIV diagnoses in San Francisco decreased by 50%, while chlamydia increased by 98%, syphilis increased by 122%, and gonorrhea increased by 196%
San Francisco was one of the first urban centers to see declines in new HIV diagnoses, with new HIV diagnoses reduced by half from 462 in 2010 to 221 in 2017.1 These decreases are due to citywide efforts to scale-up HIV testing and early and widespread HIV treatment, a strong linkage-to-HIV care program (provided by the SFDPH LINCS team), and access to syringes, condoms, and more recently PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV).
Across this same time-period, condom use has been declining among gay men and other men who have sex with men. This decrease is likely because taking PrEP (if you’re HIV-negative) or maintaining an undetectable HIV viral load (if you’re living with HIV) can prevent HIV acquisition and transmission, respectively, during sex, regardless of whether or not condoms are used.
Declining rates of condom use2 has likely contributed to rising rates of gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia in San Francisco. The San Francisco Department of Public Health is focused on reducing STI health disparities and preventing the most severe complications of STIs in San Francisco. We prioritize our work with:
2 Chen YH, Guigayoma J, McFarland W, Snowden JM, Raymond HF. Increases in Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Use and Decreases in Condom Use: Behavioral Patterns Among HIV-Negative San Francisco Men Who have Sex with Men, 2004-2017. AIDS Behav 2019; 23(7): 1841-1845.
Article