Diagnoses and Prevalence of HIV Infection Among Hispanics or Latinos — United States, 2008–2013

Abstract

Hispanics or Latinos represent about 17% of the total U.S. population and are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the United States. In 2013, the rate of HIV diagnosis among Hispanics or Latinos (18.7) was nearly three times that of non-Hispanic whites (6.6). To better characterize HIV infection among Hispanics or Latinos aged ≥13 years in the United States, CDC analyzed data from the National HIV Surveillance System (NHSS). During 2008-2013, the rate of diagnoses of HIV infection among adult and adolescent Hispanics or Latinos decreased from 28.3 per 100,000 population in 2008 to 24.3 in 2013 (estimated annual percentage change [EAPC] = -3.6); however, the number of diagnoses among males with infection attributed to male-to-male sexual contact increased 16%, from 6,141 in 2008 to 7,098 in 2013 (EAPC = 3.0). In 2013, the rate of diagnosis of HIV infection among males (41.3) was six times the rate among females (6.8). During 2008-2013, behavioral risk factors for HIV infection among Hispanics or Latino differed among males and females and by place of birth. Among Hispanic or Latino males born in Puerto Rico, the proportion of HIV infections attributed to injection drug use (24.9%) was greater than among those born elsewhere. Among HIV-infected Hispanic or Latino females, those born in the United States (21.2%) and Puerto Rico (20.5%) had a greater proportion of HIV infections attributed to injection drug use than those born elsewhere. Additional interventions and public health strategies to further decrease the rates of HIV among the Hispanic or Latino population are needed.

Promoting Pre-exposure Prophylaxis to Prevent HIV Infections Among Sexual and Gender Minority Hispanics/Latinxs

“…This makes PrEP inaccessible to many Latinxs who could benefit and may be at elevated risk as recent immigrants. In 2014, 43% of Latinxs diagnosed with HIV were not born in the U.S. or Puerto Rico, and among these individuals, 66% were MSM (Gray et al, 2015). In addition to access to healthcare, individuals without legal immigration status are not eligible for many social service programs, including housing or occupational protections, which create additional structural barriers to PrEP uptake and adherence.…”

“…In the U.S., the lifetime risk of HIV infection among Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) is estimated to be 1 in 4 (compared to 1 in 11 among white MSM) (Hess, Hu, Lansky, Mermin, & Hall, 2016). Among all Latino men, the vast majority of HIV infections are attributed to male-to-male sexual contact, ranging from 54% among men born in Puerto Rico to 86% among men born in South America (Gray, Valverde, Tang, Siddiqi, & Hall, 2015). Between 2008 and 2013, the diagnoses of HIV infection among Latinxs living in the U.S. decreased for all populations except for MSM, in whom the number of HIV diagnoses increased by 16% (Gray et al, 2015).…”

“…Among all Latino men, the vast majority of HIV infections are attributed to male-to-male sexual contact, ranging from 54% among men born in Puerto Rico to 86% among men born in South America (Gray, Valverde, Tang, Siddiqi, & Hall, 2015). Between 2008 and 2013, the diagnoses of HIV infection among Latinxs living in the U.S. decreased for all populations except for MSM, in whom the number of HIV diagnoses increased by 16% (Gray et al, 2015). Despite important advances in the biomedical tools available to prevent infection, HIV rates in sexual and gender minority Latinxs continue to rise.…”

Disparities Within the Disparity—Determining HIV Risk Factors Among Latino Gay and Bisexual Men Attending a Community-Based Clinic in Los Angeles, CA

“…1 Nationally, Latino individuals are 16% of the U.S. population but 24% of all newly diagnosed HIV infections among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM). 2-3 Despite this disparity, few studies have specifically looked at the factors associated with HIV infection among Latino MSM.…”

Enhanced immigration enforcement in the USA and the transnational continuity of HIV care for Latin American immigrants in deportation proceedings

“…It is estimated that among Latinxs diagnosed with HIV in the US, 75% are linked to care within a month, and 58% virally suppressed 11 . Approximately 43% of Latinxs diagnosed with HIV are foreign-born, and among them, 66% are men who have sex with men (MSM) 12 . Late diagnosis persists, but virologic outcomes are good after engagement in care, especially among undocumented immigrants 13–15 .…”