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Hispanics/Latinos
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En español

Image of a mailboxGet E-Mail Updates on HIV/AIDS and Hispanics/Latinos

Key Facts:
  • In 2005, HIV/AIDS was the fourth leading cause of death among Hispanic/Latino men and women aged 35 to 44.
  • Hispanics/Latinos comprise 15% of the US population, but accounted for 17% of all new HIV infections occurring in the United States in 2006.
  • In 2006, Hispanics/Latinos accounted for 19% of new AIDS diagnoses and 19% of all people living with AIDS.
  • Injection drug use, STDs, poverty, and cultural beliefs are some of the HIV prevention challenges facing the Hispanic/Latino community.

Image of Hispanic male/female couple embracing.The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a serious threat to the Hispanic/Latino community. Hispanics/Latinos comprise 15% of the US population, but accounted for 17% of all new HIV infections occurring in the United States in 2006 [1]. During the same year, the rate of new HIV infections among Hispanics/Latinos was three times that of whites. In 2005, HIV/AIDS was the fourth leading cause of death among Hispanic/Latino men and women aged 35–44 [2].

HIV/AIDS in 2006

  • Hispanics/Latinos accounted for 18% of the 35,314 new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting* [3].
  • Hispanics/Latinos accounted for 17% of the 491,727 persons (including children) living with HIV/AIDS in the 33 states.
    • Hispanic/Latino males accounted for 18% of all males living with HIV/AIDS.
    • Hispanic/Latina females accounted for 15% of all females living with HIV/AIDS.
    • Hispanic/Latino children accounted for 19% of the 6,703 children who were living with HIV/AIDS and for whom diagnosis was made before they were 13 years of age.
  • For Hispanic/Latino males living with HIV/AIDS, the most common methods of HIV transmission were (in order) sexual contact with other males, injection drug use, and high-risk heterosexual contact. For Hispanic/Latina females living with HIV/AIDS, the most common methods of transmission were high-risk heterosexual contact and injection drug use [3].
  • HIV testing rates were slightly higher for Hispanics/Latinos than for persons of other races or ethnicities except blacks. A 2002 study showed that 50% of Hispanics/Latinos aged 15–44 had been tested and that 18% had been tested during the past year [4]. More information on HIV testing and Hispanics/Latinos is available in the report HIV Counseling and Testing among Hispanic Adolescents and Adults in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, 2005.

Race/ethnicity of persons (including children) with HIV/AIDS diagnosed during 2006

No. = 35,314

Black: 49%
White: 30%
Hispanic/Latinos: 18%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 1%
American Indian/Alaska Native: <1%

Note. Based on data from 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting.

AIDS in 2006

  • Hispanics/Latinos accounted for 19% of new AIDS diagnoses and 19% of all people living with AIDS in the 50 states and the District of Columbia [3].
  • Of the rates of AIDS diagnoses for adults and adolescents of all races/ethnicities, the second highest (after the rate for blacks) was the rate for Hispanics/Latinos.
  • Hispanics/Latinos accounted for 16% of the estimated 982,498 AIDS cases diagnosed since the beginning of the epidemic [3].
  • By the end of 2006, an estimated 80,690 Hispanics/Latinos with AIDS in the 50 states and the District of Columbia had died [3].

Transmission categories for Hispanic/Latino adults and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS, 2006

Males, No. = 63,427

Male-to-male sexual contact: 57%
Injection drug use: 23%
High-risk heterosexual contact: 14%
Male-to-male sexual contact and injection drug use: 6%
Other: 1%

Females, No. = 20,004

High-risk heterosexual contact: 71%
Injection drug use: 28%
Other: 2%

Note. Based on data from 33 states with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting.

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Last Modified: October 15, 2008
Last Reviewed: October 15, 2008
Content Source:
Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

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