Chicago HIV diagnoses drop 38% in provisional 2025 data

Provisional data from the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) indicates a significant decline in HIV and AIDS diagnoses in the city. New HIV diagnoses in 2025 reached 504, representing a 38% decrease from the 818 cases recorded in 2024. If these figures are finalized in December, 2025 could mark the lowest annual number of new HIV diagnoses on record.

Additionally, new AIDS diagnoses fell by approximately 22% to 236 cases. The data also shows a nearly 50% reduction in concurrent diagnoses, where an individual is diagnosed with both HIV and AIDS within a 12-month period.

Despite the overall decline, racial and ethnic disparities remain a concern. Black Chicagoans accounted for approximately 47% of new infections in 2025, while Hispanic residents accounted for 34%. This follows a trend in 2024 where Hispanic residents made up nearly half of all new diagnoses.

While Mayor Brandon Johnson and CDPH Commissioner Garth Walker credited the progress to expanded testing and prevention efforts, community advocates have expressed concerns regarding budget cuts to HIV prevention programs. Protesters recently called on the city to restore funding to community-based health initiatives.