Which group of people makes up 17% of the reported cases of AIDS?

The group that constitutes 17% of the reported cases of AIDS is intravenous drug users. This statistic reflects the significant impact that sharing needles and other drug paraphernalia can have on the transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Intravenous drug use often involves risky behaviors that facilitate the spread of the virus, particularly when users share needles contaminated with HIV-infected blood.

In the context of the other groups mentioned, homosexual or bisexual men represent a larger portion of AIDS cases due to higher rates of transmission through sexual contact, while heterosexuals also account for a significant number of cases but typically at lower rates than those seen in men who have sex with men. Hemophiliacs, on the other hand, accounted for a smaller percentage of cases historically, particularly before the introduction of effective screening for HIV in blood products. Understanding the statistics surrounding AIDS transmission helps inform public health strategies and resource allocation to address the needs of high-risk groups effectively.