Heterosexual transmission of HIV--29 states, 1999-2002.

Worldwide, the majority of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections result from heterosexual transmission. To characterize heterosexual transmission of HIV infections in the United States, CDC analyzed data for 1999-2002 from the 29 states that have met CDC standards for name-based HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) reporting for > or =4 years. This report summarizes the results of that analysis, which indicated that heterosexually acquired HIV infections represented 35% of all new HIV cases; 64% of heterosexually acquired HIV infections occurred in females, and 74% occurred in non-Hispanic blacks. To decrease the number of new heterosexually acquired HIV infections, especially among certain minority populations, culturally targeted education and prevention programs should be provided, and barriers to HIV care and prevention services should be removed.