Gov't: Only 1 in 4 have HIV under control - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather and Sports

WASHINGTON (WKOW) -- New government data shows only a quarter of Americans with the AIDS virus have the infection under control.

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 percent don't know they're infected, and only two-thirds who are diagnosed are linked to a doctor. The agency  says poverty and lack of insurance are the main barriers.

Federal health officials say young people and blacks are least likely to get effective care. Just 15 percent 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 percent of whites.

For more information on helping control the HIV/AIDS epidemic, visit the CDC's website.