NEW YORK CITY, NY  --  New York City's health department announced Wednesday that deaths from HIV/AIDS fell by nearly 15 percent in New York City in 2006 compared to the year before.

HIV/AIDS deaths dropped from 1,419 in 2005 to 1,209 in 2006. The decline was reflected in both sexes and all ethnic groups.

"Numbers this low have not been seen since 1984, when New York City recorded 952 deaths from AIDS," the health department report said.

Researchers attribute the continuing decline to several factors, including a lower infection rate among injecting drug users - partly due to syringe exchange programs- increased health services for injecting drug users, a declining population of injecting drug users, expanded HIV testing and referral to care, and slower disease progression among people receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Nevertheless, the report said, HIV mortality is still concentrated among NYC's minority populations, with roughly 34 percent of HIV deaths occurring among black men and 21 percent among black women. Eleven percent of HIV deaths occur among white men and 3 percent among white women.

The city said that along with HIV/AIDS there also was drop in the number of deaths from diabetes, chronic lung disease and kidney failure. The only leading killer that increased significantly was substance use.

"New Yorkers are living longer, healthier lives," said Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, New York City Heath Commissioner, "but too many New Yorkers are still dying from preventable causes. The leading causes of premature death can be prevented by quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing risky sex and using condoms to avoid HIV, and living free of alcohol and drug dependence. We are working with community groups and health providers to help all New Yorkers achieve better health."

Last update: 01-09-2008 17:14