Steep drop in USA mother-to-child HIV

Community Action, Feb 21, 2005

NEW YORK -- Changes in the mother to child transmission of HIV is a major achievement of American public health agencies. The rate has dropped so sharply that it now appears on the verge of being eliminated according to a report by the New York City health department. In 1990 over 2,000 babies were born infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. New York City peaked with over 900 cases.

Recent reports indicated about 200 cases per year were reported across the U.S. New York City, which had been the centre of the epidemic, reported only five babies born with the virus in 2003.

The steep drop in mother-to-child transmission was called a "a sweeping victory for public health officials," by Dr. Vicki Peters, the head of pediatric surveillance for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Dr. Peters attributed the achievement to better drugs, aggressive public education and testing, cooperation by federal and local levels.