HIV Diagnoses Among Hispanics/Latinos — United States, 2008–2013

Despite an overall decline in new HIV diagnoses among Latinos in recent years, diagnoses increased sharply among Latino men who have sex with men (MSM). For this analysis, CDC researchers analyzed data on new HIV diagnoses reported to the National HIV Surveillance System from 2008-2013. While the rate of HIV diagnoses declined among Latinos overall during this time period (from 28.3 per 100,000 population to 24.3), the number of diagnoses increased by 16 percent among Latino MSM (from 6,141 to 7,098). The increase among Latino MSM tracks with an overall increase in new infections seen among MSM in previous reports, suggesting a potential resurgence in HIV among this population. HIV diagnoses declined among all other transmission groups, and were either stable or declined among all age groups. Latinos are disproportionately affected by HIV infection – in 2013, the rate of HIV diagnosis among Latinos (18.7) was nearly 3 times that of non-Hispanic whites (6.6). Behavioral risk factors among Latinos differed depending on the place of birth, pointing to the importance of tailored HIV prevention strategies that recognize the diversity of the Latino community. To combat HIV among Latinos, the authors underscore the critical need to prioritize testing; care and treatment for people living with HIV; and ensuring those at the highest risk have the knowledge and tools to protect themselves and their partners from infection, especially among Latino gay and bisexual men.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES