Addressing the HIV/AIDS Crisis Among Hispanic and Latino Americans: Challenges and Pathways Forward
Despite significant progress in combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States, glaring disparities persist among various racial and ethnic groups. While the overall rates of HIV have declined, and new infections have dropped for both Black and White Americans, this is not the case for Hispanic and Latino Americans. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2018 and 2022, new HIV infections among gay and bisexual men declined for Black and White Americans but remained steady for Hispanic Americans. This lack of progress has been attributed to a myriad of factors, including healthcare discrimination and stigma within the Hispanic/Latino community.
Hispanic and Latino individuals make up 18% of the U.S. population but accounted for a staggering 33% of estimated new HIV infections in 2022. This stark contrast becomes even more pronounced when compared to White Americans, who constitute 61% of the U.S. population but only 23% of HIV infections. Alarmingly, Hispanic gay men now represent the highest number of new HIV cases in the country. The statistics reveal that Hispanic males are four times more likely than their White counterparts to have HIV, while Hispanic females are three times more likely than White females. Additionally, Hispanic males and females are more likely to die from HIV infection than their White counterparts.
The lack of progress in addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis for the Hispanic/Latino population is reminiscent of the pre-2000 era, according to healthcare experts. Many Hispanic/Latino HIV patients arrive in the U.S. unaware of their status or come from countries where prevention and treatment options are limited. Even those whose families have been in the U.S. for generations face significant barriers to accessing healthcare. A 2022 study found that one in four Hispanic patients with HIV reported experiencing healthcare discrimination. Stigma within and outside of the Hispanic/Latino community further prevents patients from seeking care, exacerbating the crisis.
Another critical issue is the lack of information available in Spanish and culturally appropriate resources tailored to the diverse Hispanic/Latino communities. Simply translating materials is insufficient, as different Hispanic/Latino communities have unique cultures and generational differences that must be considered. Recognizing this, the White House recently held a summit to raise awareness of HIV among Hispanic/Latino Americans and strengthen efforts to address the crisis. Disseminating culturally tailored information on social media platforms is crucial to reaching Hispanic/Latino individuals and encouraging them to seek care and treatment.
The White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) organized the B!Adelante! Summit to accelerate the nation’s HIV response in Latino communities. The summit aimed to increase the visibility of the HIV epidemic in Hispanic/Latino communities and inspire collective action nationwide. According to data, Latinos make up 19% of the U.S. population but accounted for almost one-third of all new HIV diagnoses in 2022. The summit sought to address suboptimal rates of HIV knowledge, linkage to care, and viral suppression, as well as high levels of HIV stigma among Latinos.
The B!Adelante! Summit brought together leaders from various sectors, including government, nonprofits, the private sector, healthcare, and communities, to address the HIV epidemic in Latino communities. The goal was to promote multidisciplinary collaboration, coordination, and commitment to addressing the epidemic through a comprehensive and holistic approach. The summit served as a reminder of the urgent work that still needs to be done in addressing HIV in the country and aimed to engage new and existing partners to drive progress forward.
Social media accounts for ONAP and HIV.gov shared live updates from the event, highlighting discussions and presentations from experts and leaders in the field of HIV. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the latest research and interventions related to HIV, with a focus on addressing health disparities and inequities faced by Latino communities. The convening of the summit came at a crucial time, with concerning data highlighting the impact of HIV on Latino populations. The summit served as a call to action for everyone to do their part in addressing the HIV epidemic in Latino communities.
Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, an executive director at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, joined a group of leaders at the White House to discuss the HIV crisis in the Latino community. The summit, called ¡Adelante!, aimed to bring attention to the issue and call for action and mobilization. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, and Neera Tanden were among the speakers at the event. Guilamo-Ramos presented opportunities and strategies for addressing the increasing incidence of HIV in the Latino community.
According to his presentation, while the overall population in the U.S. has seen a decrease in HIV infections, the number of infections in the Latino community has increased. There has been a 12% increase in annual infections within the Latino community from 2010 to 2022. The most concerning statistic is a 95% increase in annual infections among Latino men aged 25-34 who have sex with men. Despite the availability of medication like PrEP and reduced stigma around HIV/AIDS, the epidemic continues to impact Latino communities significantly.
Guilamo-Ramos believes that the current impact of HIV on Latino communities demands immediate attention. Inequities in access to healthcare and policies that overlook Latino communities contribute to the HIV crisis. A report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which Guilamo-Ramos was a part of, addresses these issues and makes recommendations for equity in healthcare. These recommendations include comprehensive care models, culturally and linguistically tailored public health campaigns, and evidence-based laws and policies.
While the inequities in the Latino HIV crisis call for urgent attention, Guilamo-Ramos remains optimistic and hopeful. The overall tone of the event was positive, with many calling for the eradication of HIV/AIDS in the U.S. by 2030. Guilamo-Ramos believes that this goal is achievable as long as the Latino community is invested in. He reminds the audience that improving outcomes for Latino people will benefit everyone and is not a zero-sum game. The good news is that the crisis can be reversed, and the U.S. can come closer to a world without HIV/AIDS. However, immediate action is necessary to achieve this goal.
The summit served as a call to action to address the HIV crisis in the Latino community and work towards a more equitable healthcare system for all. The Institute for Policy Solutions (IPS) at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, led by Dr. Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, aims to address health inequities through evidence-based policy solutions. Dr. Guilamo-Ramos, a nurse practitioner and nurse scientist with expertise in HIV prevention and treatment for Latino adolescents and young adults, has been a regular contributor to leading health scientific journals and has been funded by NIH, CDC, and federal agencies. He has also served on numerous federal advisory committees and is a board member of organizations focused on Latino health and HIV/AIDS.
The IPS at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing focuses on ending health inequities through evidence-based policy solutions. Through organizations like IPS, progress can be made towards reducing HIV infections and creating a world without HIV/AIDS. The ¡Adelante! summit highlighted the need for immediate action to address the HIV crisis among Latinos and emphasized the importance of taking action now. The summit, organized by the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, brought together diverse leaders and amplified diverse voices to drive tangible action. Prof. Guilamo-Ramos stressed the urgency to act now in order to address the largely invisible HIV crisis among Latinos.