HIV and Hispanic/Latino People: Viral Suppression
Data for 2020 should be interpreted with caution due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to HIV testing, care-related services, and case surveillance activities in state and local jurisdictions. While 2020 data on HIV diagnoses and prevention and care outcomes are available, we are not updating this web content with data from these reports.
Viral suppression is one of the six Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. indicators. Viral suppression refers to the percentage of people with diagnosed HIV who have less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood.
It is important for Hispanic/Latino people to know their HIV status so they can take medicine to treat HIV if they have the virus. Taking HIV medicine every day can make the viral load undetectable. People who get and keep an undetectable viral load (or remain virally suppressed) can stay healthy for many years and will not transmit HIV to their sex partners.
* Hispanic/Latino people can be of any race.
† Had 2 viral load or CD4 tests at least 3 months apart in a year.
‡ Based on most recent viral load test.
Source: CDC. Monitoring selected national HIV prevention and care objectives by using HIV surveillance data—United States and 6 dependent areas, 2019. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2021;26(2).
Many people with HIV experience challenges with achieving and maintaining viral suppression over time. Some of these challenges include missing HIV medical appointments, needing but not receiving other important health care services, or missing doses of HIV treatment.
* Hispanic/Latino people can be of any race.
† Among people aged 18 and older.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.
Nearly half (45%) of all people with HIV needed at least 1 HIV ancillary care service in the past 12 months.
* Hispanic/Latino people can be of any race.
† Among people aged 18 and older.
‡ HIV ancillary care services, such as case management and mental health services, are services that support retention in HIV care.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.
* Hispanic/Latino people can be of any race.
† Among people aged 18 and older.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.
* Hispanic/Latino people can be of any race.
† Among people aged 18 and older.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.
* Hispanic/Latino people can be of any race.
† Among people aged 18 and older.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.
NOTE: Ten-item scale ranging from 0 (no stigma) to 100 (high stigma) that measures personalized stigma, disclosure concerns, negative self-image, and perceived public attitudes about people with HIV.
* Hispanic/Latino people can be of any race.
† Among people aged 18 and older.
Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.
Deaths
In 2019, there were 3,047 deaths among Hispanic/Latino people with diagnosed HIV in the US and dependent areas. These deaths could be from any cause.
- CDC. Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2019. HIV Surveillance Report 2021;32.
- CDC. Estimated HIV incidence and prevalence in the United States, 2015–2019. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2021;26(1).
- CDC. Monitoring selected national HIV prevention and care objectives by using HIV surveillance data—United States and 6 dependent areas, 2019. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2021;26(2).
- del Rio C. Latinos and HIV care in the Southeastern United States: New challenges complicating longstanding problems. Clin Infect Dis 2011;53(5):488-9. PubMed abstract.
