Deeper Look: HIV among Hispanic/Latinx/Latine People

Understanding Identity and Community

The terms Hispanic, Latino, Latinx, and Latine represent different approaches to describing a diverse community that encompasses people with origins in Spanish-speaking countries and Brazil. For the purposes of this analysis, we use “Hispanic/Latinx/Latine” to honor this diversity while recognizing that individuals within these communities may prefer different terms to describe their identity.

This linguistic complexity reflects the broader diversity within Hispanic/Latinx/Latine communities, which encompass dozens of countries of origin, multiple languages, varied immigration histories, different socioeconomic circumstances, and distinct cultural traditions. This diversity means that effective HIV prevention and care approaches must be tailored to specific community needs rather than treating Hispanic/Latinx/Latine populations as a monolithic group.

The Growing Impact: A Community Under Pressure

HIV has an increasingly disproportionate impact on Hispanic/Latinx/Latine populations in the United States, representing a troubling trend that demands urgent attention. In 2022, Hispanic/Latinx/Latine people represented 32% of new HIV diagnoses despite making up only 18% of the U.S. population. This disparity has been worsening over time, with HIV diagnoses among Hispanic/Latinx/Latine people increasing by 17% between 2018 and 2022, even as overall HIV diagnoses remained relatively stable.

Hispanic/Latinx/Latine people now have the second-highest rate of new HIV diagnoses among all racial and ethnic groups, with approximately 19 new diagnoses per 100,000 people—nearly double the national rate. Among males aged older than 24 years, Hispanic/Latino males account for the highest percentage (40%) of diagnoses attributed to male-to-male sexual contact, while Hispanic/Latino females have a diagnosis rate of 6.7 per 100,000. These statistics reflect not individual failures but rather the impact of structural inequities, cultural barriers, and systemic exclusion.

Men Who Have Sex with Men: At the Epicenter

Hispanic/Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) represent the population most heavily affected by HIV within Hispanic/Latinx/Latine communities. In 2022, Hispanic/Latino MSM accounted for 37% of all new HIV diagnoses among men and now represent 39% of estimated new HIV infections among all MSM nationally.

The persistence of high transmission rates among Hispanic/Latino MSM reflects the intersection of multiple barriers, including discrimination, social rejection, economic marginalization, and limited access to culturally competent healthcare services. Stigma related to homosexuality and bisexuality within some Hispanic/Latinx/Latine communities can create environments where men have difficulty accessing HIV prevention information or feel unable to disclose their sexual orientation to healthcare providers.

However, Hispanic/Latino MSM communities have also created vibrant support networks, advocacy organizations, and cultural expressions that provide resilience and resources for HIV prevention and care.

Late Diagnosis and Treatment Gaps

One of the most concerning aspects of the HIV epidemic among Hispanic/Latinx/Latine people is the pattern of late diagnosis and delayed entry into care. In 2022, 21% of new HIV diagnoses among Hispanic/Latinx/Latine people were classified as late diagnoses, meaning individuals were diagnosed with stage 3 HIV (AIDS) within three months of their initial HIV diagnosis.

Additionally, only an estimated 45% of Hispanic/Latinx/Latine individuals reported ever being tested for HIV in 2022, significantly lower than testing rates in other populations. This low testing rate reflects both individual barriers to accessing testing and systemic failures to reach Hispanic/Latinx/Latine communities with culturally appropriate testing programs.

Late HIV diagnosis has serious consequences for both individual health outcomes and community transmission prevention, as people with undiagnosed HIV may unknowingly transmit the virus to others, particularly during acute infection when viral loads are highest.

The Prevention Gap: PrEP Access and Utilization

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) represents one of the most significant advances in HIV prevention, yet PrEP uptake among Hispanic/Latinx/Latine people remains dramatically lower than their representation among new HIV diagnoses. In 2023, Hispanic/Latinx/Latine people had the lowest rate of PrEP use among all racial and ethnic groups despite accounting for 32% of new HIV diagnoses.

The PrEP-to-Need Ratio among Hispanic/Latinx/Latine people is four times lower than for white individuals, demonstrating substantially higher unmet need. These disparities vary by geographic region, ranging from 3 to 6 times lower than white individuals depending on the area.

Multiple barriers contribute to low PrEP uptake, including limited awareness of PrEP availability, concerns about side effects, difficulty accessing PrEP-prescribing providers, cost and insurance concerns, and immigration-related fears. Cultural and linguistic barriers also play important roles, as many healthcare providers lack training in culturally competent PrEP counseling.

Healthcare System Challenges and Opportunities

The healthcare system presents both barriers and opportunities for improving HIV outcomes. Many healthcare settings lack cultural competency, language services, and structural accommodations needed to effectively serve Hispanic/Latinx/Latine patients. Provider bias can create unwelcoming environments that discourage people from seeking care.

However, Federally Qualified Health Centers and community health centers often serve large numbers of Hispanic/Latinx/Latine patients and can be important sites for integrating HIV services with primary care. Integration with other healthcare that people already access—such as family planning, prenatal care, or chronic disease management—can help normalize HIV prevention and testing.