Only 25% of Americans with HIV have infection under control - USA TODAY

WASHINGTON (AP) â€" New government data shows only a quarter of Americans with the AIDS virus have the infection under control. Young people and blacks are least likely to get effective care.

By Carolyn Kaster, AP

Members of the audience look at slides on screens during the 19th International AIDS Conference on Wednesday in Washington.

That's slightly lower than previous estimates, and means more than 800,000 people aren't benefiting from life-saving drugs that also would lower their level of infection.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that's because nearly 20% don't know they're infected, and only two-thirds who are diagnosed are linked to a doctor. It says poverty and lack of insurance are the main barriers.

• PHOTOS: International AIDS Conference

• VIDEO: Woman with HIV shares her story

Just 15% of 25- to 34-year-olds have gotten the virus to low levels, less than half the rate of 50-somethings. And 1 in 5 African Americans had the virus suppressed, compared with 30% of whites.

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