USAID works with the Ministry of Health and its partners to reduce HIV transmission among key populations. Activities also focus on reducing stigma and discrimination.

USAID/Jamaica

The U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is the U.S. Government initiative to help save the lives of those  infected and affected  byHIV/AIDS around the world. This historic commitment is the largest by any nation to combat a single disease internationally.. PEPFAR is driven by a shared responsibility among donor and partner nations and other stakeholders  to make smart investments to save lives.

Currently, there are an estimated 29,000 Jamaicans living with HIV. In Jamaica, HIV is primarily transmitted through sexual intercourse. Among reported HIV cases the main risk factors are multiple sex partners, history of Sexually Transmitted Infections, drug use, and sex with sex workers.

The prevalence in the general population is estimated at 1.76%; however surveys show higher HIV prevalence in key subpopulations; men who have sex with men, female sex workers, and prison inmates. Eighty five percent of all AIDS cases reported from 1982 – 2013 are between the ages of 20 -59 years. With few development partners working in this sector, U.S. development assistance is vital to complementing activities of the Government of Jamaica (GOJ). 

The GOJ and USAID is also working with civil society organizations to ensure that HIV prevention care and treatment is being addressed across the island.