HIV Testing and Outcomes Among Hispanics/Latinos — United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, 2014

Abstract

The 2015 National HIV/AIDS Strategy provides an updated plan to address health disparities in communities at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection (1,2). Hispanics/Latinos* are disproportionately affected by HIV in the United States. In 2014, 23% of HIV diagnoses were among Hispanics/Latinos, who represented 16% of the U.S. population (3). To examine HIV testing services, CDC analyzed 2014 data from the National HIV Prevention Program Monitoring and Evaluation (NHM&E) system submitted by 60 CDC-funded health departments† and 151 community-based organizations. Among Hispanics/Latinos tested, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) had the highest percentage of HIV diagnoses (2%). MSM accounted for 19.8% of HIV test events conducted among Hispanics/Latinos and 63.8% of Hispanics/Latinos who received an HIV diagnosis in non-health care settings.§ Approximately 60% of Hispanics/Latinos who received an HIV diagnosis were linked to HIV medical care within 90 days; this percentage was lower in the South than in other U.S. Census regions. HIV prevention programs that are focused on expanding routine HIV screening and targeting and improving linkage to medical care and other services (e.g., partner services) for Hispanics/Latinos can help identify undiagnosed HIV cases and reduce HIV transmission. Summary: What is already known about this topic? In 2014, 23% of HIV diagnoses were among Hispanics/Latinos, who made up 16% of the U.S. population. In 2014, the rate of HIV diagnoses among Hispanics/Latinos was approximately three times that for non-Hispanic whites (18.4 compared with. 6.1 per 100,000 population). What is added by this report? The analysis showed that Hispanics/Latinos accounted for 22.6% of CDC-funded HIV testing events and 23.3% of persons with newly diagnosed HIV infection. The percentages of Hispanics/Latinos linked to HIV medical care, interviewed for partner services, and referred to prevention services were lower in the South compared with other U.S. census regions. Approximately 60% of Hispanics/Latinos were linked to medical care within 90 days of diagnosis, which is below the 85% goal of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. What are the implications for public health practice? The findings emphasize the need for culturally and linguistically sensitive prevention strategies to promote diagnosis of HIV infection and linkage to medical care among Hispanics/Latinos to improve health outcomes. Stakeholders and partners should focus on prevention and care strategies for Hispanic/Latino subpopulations (e.g., men who have sex with men and persons who inject drugs) to reduce HIV-related disparities.