11 Facts about HIV/AIDS in the Latino Community

1. Of the 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S., nearly 165,000 are Latinos.
2. Latinos make up 14% of the U.S. population but count for 19% of new infections.
3. About 1 in 106 Latino women will contract HIV/AIDS during their lifetime.
4. 70% of Latino women became infected with HIV/AIDS through heterosexual intercourse.
5. Almost one in 4 Latino males living with HIV/AIDS became infected through HIV contaminated needles while almost 60% became infected through sexual contact with another man.
6. One third of the U.S. Hispanic population is under 18 years old, and Latino teens account for 21% of AIDS cases among U.S. teens.
7. HIV is the 5th leading cause of death for Latino men and 6th for Latinas, ages 25-44.
8. In 2007, the AIDS case rate per 100,000 among Latinos was the third highest of any racial/ethnic group in the U.S. - about three times that of whites, but one-third that of blacks. The HIV incidence rate for Latinos follows a similar pattern.
9. Although AIDS cases among Latinos have been reported throughout the country, the prevalence of AIDS among Latinos is clustered in a handful of states with New York and California far in the lead.
10. The conservative values of the Latino community and consequent lack of open discussion about sex and condom use contributes to the problem.
11. Because the U.S. Latino population is expected to triple from 2000 to 2050, HIV/AIDS prevention within this population will continue to be a major priority for public health. Still, only two of the 17 approved HIV programs sponsored by the CDC targets Latinos.

Sources:

US Department of Health and Human Services

The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention