Drop in new San Francisco AIDS cases gives hope in prevention battle

[Thom Little]

San Francisco is the only US city to report a drop in new AIDS cases this year, prompting hopes that it signals a decline in risky, drug-induced gay sex.

"San Francisco and California led the way in the epidemic, so our leading the way in the reduction is a good thing," Steven Tierney, director of HIV prevention for the city of San Francisco, told AFP.

"I think people are hopeful."

Statistics indicate that half as many new HIV infections were reported among San Francisco gay men in 2004 as compared to the previous year, according to Jason Riggs of the STOP AIDS Project in San Francisco.


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