NEW YORK, NY August 28, 2008 —More New York residents are contracting HIV than previously thought according to new City Health Department figures. Previously, the city only measured people diagnosed with the disease. Now, the city is using new federal guidelines to estimate the number of people infected--and that’s a much higher number. WNYC’s Fred Mogul explains.

REPORTER: For 2006, the most recent year available, there were about 4,000 new diagnoses. The new statistical projection is closer to 5,000. The revised infection rate--72 cases per 100,000--is three times the national average. The city has more cases than any other area in the country because of the high proportion of gay men, African-Americans and other populations who are more exposed to the disease. Local doctors say the new figures validate increases they’ve noticed at their clinics and hospitals. And health officials say the numbers will help the city target outreach efforts more effectively and apply for greater amounts of federal assistance. For WNYC, I’m Fred Mogul.