San Francisco Department of Public Health Releases 2024 HIV Epidemiology Annual Report

SAN FRANCISCO - The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) today released the 2024 HIV Epidemiology Annual Report that provides a comprehensive overview of the state of HIV in San Francisco. The report shows that 146 new HIV diagnoses were reported in San Francisco in 2024, a 4.3% increase from the record low 140 diagnoses reported in 2023. The total number of people living with HIV with a known current San Francisco address was 11,552 by the end of 2024.

“HIV diagnoses in San Francisco have declined by 53% over the past ten years. This report shows that as a City, we must continue to remain persistent. HIV is a serious public health issue in San Francisco and across the country, and SFDPH is committed to the important work that helps prevent people from getting HIV and improving outcomes for people who are diagnosed with HIV,” said Director of Health Daniel Tsai.

Among racial/ethnic groups in the City, the increase in new HIV diagnoses was highest among Black/African Americans, with 40 reported in 2024 compared to 27 in 2023. In addition, new diagnoses among cis women increased from 14 in 2023 to 26 in 2024. Nearly half (46%) of new diagnoses among cis women in 2024 were Black/African American.

“HIV is a preventable disease, and this report will inform our ongoing and collaborative efforts with academic, health system and community partners to effectively respond and reduce existing disparities,” said San Francisco Health Officer Dr. Susan Philip.

HIV Prevention Efforts

Getting tested is the only way for people to know their HIV status. SFDPH helps people access testing though a variety of community-based programs. The Department’s Take Me Home program allows people to order an HIV test and have it delivered directly to their home. Participation in the program has increased from 249 orders in 2021 to 1,670 orders in 2024. The program is promoted by the SFDPH led Have Good Sex and PrEP Supports campaigns that aim to reduce stigma in the Black/African American and Latine/x communities.

SFDPH funds seven Health Access Points (HAP) that are designed to reduce disparities by providing equity-focused, stigma-free, and low barrier HIV prevention, care and treatment services. While everyone is welcome at the HAPs, each HAP is designed to address the specific health needs of priority populations, including Black/African Americans and Latine/x, and people who use drugs. Over 9,400 HIV tests were administered at the HAPs between July 2023 and June 2024, their first year of operation.

In addition, SFDPH has also been proactive in promoting and enrolling people on HIV PrEP, a highly effective medication that prevents HIV. From 2015 through 2024, PrEP use among men who have sex with men (MSM) without HIV increased from 21% to 63% among San Francisco City Clinic patients who were San Francisco residents. SFDPH is also part of Getting to Zero San Francisco, a consortium of over 300 members focused on supporting access to PrEP and other efforts to eliminate new HIV infections, preventable deaths, and HIV stigma and discrimination.

Linkage to Care

Quickly linking people to care and effective treatment makes it less likely for HIV to spread and improves health outcomes. In 2023 and 2024, 94% of people were linked to care within one month of diagnosis. Viral suppression within 12 months of diagnosis increased to 87% for 2023 diagnoses from 79% in 2020. 79% of people diagnosed in 2024 were virally suppressed within six months.

“Prevention and swift linkage to care are part of the City’s core HIV prevention and care efforts. We must continue to be strategic, community-informed and evidence-based in our approach to HIV so we can get to the day when no new diagnoses are reported,” said SFDPH STI and HIV Prevention and Control Director Dr. Stephanie Cohen.

The full 2024 HIV Epidemiology Annual Report can be read in full here.

HIV Prevention and Treatment Resources:

San Francisco City Clinic: sfcityclinic.org

Health Access Points: sf.gov/information--health-access-point-hap

Take Me Home: takemehome.org