Iowa has recorded its first sustained reduction of HIV diagnoses since reporting began. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, the 2019 Iowa End of Year HIV Surveillance Report shows a 30% reduction in diagnoses over the last three years. This is the first sustained reduction since HIV reporting began in 1998. After peaking at 137 diagnoses in 2016, it has consecutively dropped since then with 98 diagnoses last year.

In addition, the 2019 report shows over 80% of Iowans diagnosed and living with HIV had viral suppression with undetectable amounts of virus in their blood. IDPH states that studies have shown people cannot transmit HIV sexually when they are virally suppressed.