San Francisco Recorded Record-Low HIV Infections in 2025
The city reported 136 new cases in 2025, marking a 75% decline in infections over the last 20 years.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Sexual Health
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San Francisco officials confirmed 136 new HIV infections in 2025, achieving a new record-low for the city. This figure represents a 75% decrease in annual transmissions compared to data from two decades ago.
Why it matters
The downward trend reflects the effectiveness of targeted health access points that connect disproportionately affected populations with care. Maintaining this progress remains a priority as the city works to keep newly diagnosed individuals linked to treatment providers.
In 2025, 74% of men who have sex with men treated at the San Francisco City Clinic utilized PrEP for prevention. Meanwhile, over 90% of newly diagnosed residents were successfully connected to a care provider within one month.
The players
San Francisco City Clinic
This facility serves as a primary hub for sexual health services and the distribution of PrEP medication in the city.
The details
Health access points, which saw an 11% increase in usage, have been critical in providing care where specific communities gather. While overall rates are down, disparate impacts persist, with Latino individuals accounting for 39% of new infections and Black individuals representing 23%, despite smaller shares of the total population.
Timeline
1990s: Thousands of HIV infections occurred annually in San Francisco.
2012: The current downward trend in new HIV infections began.
2014: San Francisco officially launched the Getting to Zero campaign.
2023: The city introduced injectable PrEP as a new prevention tool.
2025: San Francisco recorded a record-low 136 new HIV infections.
The Big Picture
The city's record-low infection totals follow the strategic framework established by the Getting to Zero campaign. This initiative has shifted the focus toward aggressive prevention and early linkage to care, marking a departure from traditional reactive public health models.
Residents can access specialized care and PrEP through established health access points designed for community-specific needs. With over 90% of newly diagnosed individuals linked to care within a month, patients have high assurance of receiving timely medical support.
The takeaway
San Francisco demonstrates how localized, targeted health interventions can drive long-term declines in infectious disease rates. Continued reliance on these access points and preventative tools like PrEP remains essential for sustaining these gains.
Further reading
For more on local prevention efforts, see Sexual Health.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Francisco Chronicle.
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