Ryan White and Latinx AIDS Awareness Day

Latinos, who comprise 17% of the U.S. population, bear a disproportionate HIV/AIDS burden. In 2014, Latinos represented 24 percent of new HIV diagnoses. Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) represent the majority of Latino HIV and AIDS cases (84%). Overall, Latino HIV cases declined from 2005 to 2014 but increased among Latino MSM.

Ryan White Living History (José: Mucho Orgullo)

Ryan White and Latinos

According to the 2015 HRSA client level data report, 22.7% of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) clients were Hispanic/Latino.

Specifically:

• Among Hispanic/Latino male clients, 61.9% had HIV infection attributed to male-to-male sexual contact, 25.8% to heterosexual contact, and 8.2% to injection drug use
• Among Hispanic/Latina female clients, 85.4% had HIV infection attributed to heterosexual contact, 8.7% to injection drug use, and 4.4% to perinatal infection
• Among Hispanic/Latino transgender clients, 92.7% had infection attributed to sexual contact, 5.0% to sexual contact and injection drug use, and 1.7% to injection drug use 

Hispanic/Latino Clients Served by RWHAP, Gender & Transmission Risk Category, 2015

Ryan White Makes a Difference

Most RWHAP clients achieve positive HIV health outcomes in terms of retention in HIV medical care and viral suppression.

Among Hispanic/Latino RWHAP clients:

• Hispanic/Latino men had a viral suppression rate (85.9%) that was higher than the national RWHAP average (83.4%) but rates lagged for younger men and those with unstable housing. The retention in care average (82.4%) was comparable to the national RWHAP average (80.6%)
• Latinas had a higher retention in care percentage (86.6%) than the national RWHAP average (80.6%) while viral suppression (85.2%) was relatively consistent with the national RWHAP average (83.4%) 

Viral Suppression among Hispanic/Latino Men Served by RWHAP, 2015

TA and Training Resources

Access TA and training resources for Latino populations on the TARGET Center's cultural competency topic page. Below are highlights.

HIV Care Delivery

• Innovative Approaches to Engaging Hard-to-Reach Populations
• EMPODERATE: A Model for Addressing Social Determinants of Health Among LGBTQ Latinx Young Adult
• Latinos: AETC National Coordinating Resource Center (Clinician Resources)
• BESAFE: A Cultural Competency Model for Latinos
• SPNS Initiative: Culturally Appropriate Interventions of Outreach, Access and Retention among Latino(a) Populations

Accessing ACA Health Coverage

See various Library resources related to health care reform in our Enrolling and Accessing ACA Health Coverage collection.