HIV Infections Increase Among City's Gay Men

The number of new HIV infections among the city's gay men increased in 2006, according to preliminary data published today by the city's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

In 2006, the number of new cases jumped to 499, up 33% from 374 in 2001.

In Manhattan, the highest concentration of new diagnoses occurred in East and Central Harlem, where there were 56 cases in 2006, up 115% from 26 in 2001. In the Chelsea and Clinton neighborhoods, the number of cases increased to 39 in 2006, up 56% from 25 in 2001.

Twice as many black men contracted HIV as their Caucasian counterparts. Data was based on the first six months of 2006 and extrapolated to the full year.