Asian/Pacific Islander
HIV/AIDS Prevalence among Asian/Pacific Islanders
As of December 31st 2014, there were 153 Asian/Pacific Islanders living with HIV/AIDS in
Minnesota, accounting for 2% of people living with HIV in Minnesota. Of the 153 Asian/Pacific
Islanders living with HIV in Minnesota, 108 were male and 45 were female. Of the 108 male API
cases, 83% had a risk of men who have sex with men (MSM), 8% heterosexual contact with
someone with or at risk for HIV, 3% injection drug use (IDU), 3% MSM/IDU and 3% other risk
(hemophilia, transplant, transfusion or mother with HIV or HIV risk). Of the 42 female API cases,
83% had a risk of heterosexual contact with someone with or at risk for HIV, 2% IDU, and 15%
other mode of exposure.
HIV Diagnoses among Asian/Pacific Islanders
Nationally, through 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
Asian and Pacific Islanders are one of the fastest-growing ethnic/racial populations in the U.S.
According to the CDC, the number of APIs living with AIDS has climbed by about 10% in each of
the last 5 years.
In Minnesota, however, the number of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses has remained low over the past
decade at less than 10 new cases a year. In 2014 there were 10 HIV diagnosis among
Asian/Pacific Islanders accounting for 3% of all HIV infection diagnoses.
Mode of Exposure
Of the 16 Asian males
diagnosed between 2012 and
2014, 91% of cases had an
estimated mode of exposure
of MSM and 9% had an
estimated risk of MSM/IDU.
The one Asian female
diagnosed between 2012 and
2014, did not have a specified
risk. The number of cases
among Asian/Pacific Islander
men and women during the
years
2012-2014
are
insufficient to make further
HIV Infections* by Estimated Mode of Exposure
Among Asian/Pacific Islanders
2012 - 2014
CAUTION: Small number of cases – interpret carefully.
Asian Males (n = 16)
Asian Females (n = 1)
Heterosex
95%
MSM/IDU
MSM
91%
Other
5%
n = Number of persons MSM = Men who have sex with men
IDU = Injecting drug use
Heterosex = Heterosexual contact with someone with or at risk for HIV
Other = Hemophilia, transplant, transfusion, mother w/ HIV or HIV risk
* HIV or AIDS at first diagnosis
Minnesota HIV/AIDS Epidemiologic Profile—Asian/Pacific Islander
December 2015
generalizations regarding risk.
HIV Treatment Cascade among Asian/Pacific Islanders
There were 138 HIV positive Asian/Pacific Islanders included in the treatment cascade analyses.
Compared to the overall treatment cascade in Minnesota, Asian/Pacific Islanders have slightly
lower retention in care and viral suppression rates. It is important to note the numbers of HIV
cases in this community are quite small.
There were too few cases among Asian/Pacific Islanders diagnosed in 2013 to calculate the
linkage to care measure.
Percentage of Asian/Pacific Islanders diagnosed with HIV
engaged in selected stages of the continuum of care,
2014– Minnesota
100%
100%
90%
100%
87%
80%
74%
72%
70%
67%
63%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
^
^
0%
Overall Cascade
PLWH
^ Strata have a n<5
Linkage to Care
n=7,728
Asian/Pacific Islanders
Retention in Care
Viral Suppression
n=138
Minnesota HIV/AIDS Epidemiologic Profile—Asian/Pacific Islander
December 2015