A representative from CDC has replied.

The technical notes to the HIV/AIDS surveillance report are here.

It's too involved to paraphrase it or interpret it. Based on what I DID read, I think changes in reporting requirements, testing methods, and in programs that allow people to be tested for free, may effect the results. You all read it for yourselves if you wish. I need more time to really grok it.

GUEST,999 did good to question the statistics. The biggest problem with statistics is that people often don't know or care what they really mean because they're blinded by their bias.