New York City health department officials are concerned after recently released data showed a slight uptick in HIV cases – which comes as the federal government proposes cutting funding to HIV treatment and prevention programs.

According to the city’s annual HIV surveillance report, which was released last week, 1,791 people were diagnosed with HIV in 2024, representing a 5.4% increase from 2023. That comes on the heels of a 6.9% increase from 2022 to 2023. The data also highlighted continuing racial and socioeconomic disparities in the populations most affected by the disease across the five boroughs.

“In the last three decades, we’ve made immense progress toward ending the HIV epidemic in New York City, with new diagnoses down more than 70% since 2001,” said acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse in an announcement about the report. “Yet this progress has stalled as new diagnoses have increased or remained stable for the fourth year in a row while lifesaving federal funding for ending the epidemic is in jeopardy.”

New York City would lose more than $41 million for HIV research, treatment, education and services if the federal government’s proposal to close down the Division of HIV Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is approved, according to health department officials. That move would slash more than $750 million in CDC funding for HIV prevention nationwide.

Officials say it’s hard to pinpoint why HIV cases in the city have increased since 2020. Poverty, homelessness, lack of adequate health insurance and affordable care, unemployment and unmet supportive service needs can all put people at higher risk of contracting HIV. Misconceptions, stigma and discrimination related to HIV screening, diagnosis and care are also still challenges.

The report also shows that 86% of people who were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2024 were Black or Latino, with 42% of them living in high-poverty neighborhoods. Among those interviewed by the health department, 48% said they didn’t have health insurance, 37% reported housing insecurity, and 13% said they were struggling with food insecurity.

The Trump administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the proposed cuts to the CDC.