Certified in Public Health (CPH) Practice Exam

Which method of acquiring HIV infection is the only one that is increasing in the USA?

1. Blood transfusion

2. Homosexual male-male sex

3. Heterosexual sex

4. Injection Drug Use

The correct answer is: Heterosexual sex

The increase in HIV infection rates among various methods of transmission highlights the evolving landscape of the epidemic. Among the options provided, heterosexual sex is the only method that has shown a notable rise in new HIV cases in the USA. This information reflects broader public health trends that indicate a shift in infection dynamics. While homosexual male-male sex has consistently accounted for a significant portion of HIV transmission rates, the stabilization or decline in this group contrasts with the increasing trajectory seen in heterosexual populations. Similarly, while blood transfusions and injection drug use have historically posed risks for HIV transmission, widespread measures like improved screening practices for blood and harm reduction strategies for injecting drug users have dramatically decreased their relevance as modes of transmission in recent years. Understanding these trends is crucial for public health efforts aiming to allocate resources and implement targeted prevention strategies effectively. It emphasizes the need to focus on heterosexual populations in education, prevention, and treatment interventions, as this group represents a growing concern in the ongoing fight against HIV/AIDS.