HIV/AIDS Awareness Observances Accent Severity of the Epidemic in Hispanics/Latinos and Gay and Bisexual Men, and Complexity of the Disease in Older Adults

September and October National HIV/AIDS Awareness Observances Accent Severity of the Epidemic in Hispanics/Latinos and Gay and Bisexual Men, and Complexity of the Disease in Older Adults


The theme of the eighth annual National Latino AIDS Awareness Day on October 15—Save a Life, It May Be Your Own. Get Tested for HIV—affirmed the critical roles HIV testing and prevention education play in preventing the spread of HIV. Hispanics/Latinos account for a disproportionate share of diagnoses of HIV infection in comparison to American Indian/Alaska Natives, Asians, Native Hawaiians/other Pacific Islanders, whites, and persons reporting multiple races. From 2005–2008, Hispanics/Latinos accounted for 20% of the total estimated number of diagnoses of HIV infection in the 37 states and 5 U.S. dependent areas with confidential name-based HIV infection reporting since at least January 2005. During this period, Hispanics/Latinos accounted for 17% of the women diagnosed with HIV infection and 18% of all diagnosed HIV infections attributed to heterosexual contact. Gay and bisexual Latino men remain hardest hit. Among Hispanic/Latino males in 2008, 69% of diagnosed HIV infections were attributed to male-to-male sexual contact. Data from CDC's National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System, referenced in an earlier article, show that, in 2008, 46% of HIV-infected Hispanic MSM did not know they were infected, compared with 26% of white MSM.

According to a new CDC study of HIV infection among Hispanics/Latinos in Puerto Rico and 37 states in 2007, the estimated lifetime risk (ELR) of being diagnosed with HIV is 1 in 36 for Hispanic males and 1 in 106 for Hispanic females. The overall risk that Hispanics/Latinos will be diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime is 1 in 52. This latter rate compares with an ELR for HIV diagnosis of 1 in 170 for whites and 1 in 22 for blacks.

A range of factors place Latinos at high risk for HIV infection and may prevent them from seeking needed HIV testing and treatment, including lack of awareness about HIV infection; cultural and socioeconomic factors such as poverty and language barriers; concerns about immigration status; and homophobia and stigma. Late HIV diagnosis among HIV-infected Latinos is a key concern, and many Latinos are not getting antiretroviral treatment at an earlier stage in their infection when medication could produce the best health outcomes. Read additional information [CDC Features - National Latino AIDS Awareness Day]about National Latino AIDS Awareness Day and information about CDC activities and HIV resources for Latinos [Hispanic/Latinos | CDC HIV/AIDS].

On September 27, we commemorated the third annual National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Although it has been almost 30 years since the first reported cases of HIV among gay and bisexual men, HIV remains a crisis in this community. MSM are the only risk group for which new infections are increasing, representing more than half (57%) of those with new HIV infections in the United States each year. Moreover, more than half (53%) of people living with HIV infection are gay or bisexual men or MSM who inject drugs. Although MSM account for just 4% of the U.S. male population aged 13 and older, they have a rate of new HIV diagnoses more than 44 times that of other men.

Gay and bisexual men with multiple partners face an increased risk of infection, as do those who use drugs during sex. Many gay and bisexual men are not tested or retested regularly because they are afraid they may be infected—and if they are, not knowing their HIV status hinders life-saving treatment and puts their partners at risk. Undeniably, stigma, homophobia, and discrimination are compelling issues that may prevent gay and bisexual men from accessing the prevention and treatment resources they need.

Studies show that once people learn they are HIV infected, most take steps to protect their partners. CDC recommends that gay and bisexual men get tested at least yearly or more often if at increased risk. An updated CDC online resource [CDC - Gay and Bisexual Men's Health] focused on the health of gay and bisexual men brings together important information and connects users to health resources specifically for gay and bisexual men. See a statement by Dr. Kevin Fenton, Director, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, and a Dear Colleague letter from Dr. Jonathan Mermin, Director, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention.

Older HIV-infected adults—including older gay and bisexual men—face unique health challenges stemming from age-related changes to the body accelerated by HIV infection, the side effects of long-term treatment for HIV, the infection itself, and, often, treatments for age-associated illnesses. The 50 and older population is the fastest growing population in the world. In 2008, the 50 and over population comprised about 25% of the total U.S. population. September 18, which marked the third annual National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day, provided an opportunity to highlight these challenges and the research under way to improve the health and quality of life of older people with HIV infection. The awareness day also provided an opportunity to educate older Americans about risk factors for HIV transmission and to encourage them to get tested for HIV.

According to CDC, in 2007, persons aged 50 and older accounted for 16% of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses, 27% of persons living with HIV infection, 33% of persons living with AIDS, 19% of all AIDS diagnoses, and 38% of deaths of those living with AIDS. By 2015, more than half of those infected with HIV will be older than 50 years of age.

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Estimated Lifetime Risk for Diagnosis of HIV Infection Among Hispanics/Latinos --- 37 States and Puerto Rico, 2007