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.

Ending the HIV Epidemic goal banner for viral suppression.
Taking HIV medicine as prescribed can make the viral load undetectable. People who get and keep an undetectable viral load can stay healthy for many years and will not transmit HIV to their sex partners.
Hispanic/Latino People with Diagnosed HIV in 44 States and the District of Columbia, 2019*
This chart shows in 2019, for every 100 Hispanic/Latino people with diagnosed HIV, 65 were virally suppressed.

* 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).

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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.

Missed HIV Medical Care Appointments Among Hispanic/Latino People with Diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*†
Staying in HIV care is important to achieving and maintaining viral suppression.
This chart shows 27 percent of Hispanic/Latino people missed at least 1 medical appointment in the past 12 months compared to 24 percent of people overall.

* Hispanic/Latino people can be of any race.
 Among people aged 18 and older.

Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.

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Needed HIV Ancillary Services Among Hispanic/Latino People with Diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*†‡
This chart shows the top 3 services that Hispanic/Latino people with HIV needed but did not receive in the past 12 months.
This chart shows the top 3 services Hispanic/Latino people reported needing but not receiving in the past 12 months: dental care, SNAP or WIC, and mental health services.
This image shows the percentage of all people with HIV who needed, but did not receive, at least one ancillary service in the past 12 months.

Abbreviations: SNAP = Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; WIC = Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children.

* Hispanic/Latino people can be of any race.
 Among people aged 18 and older.
HIV ancillary services, such as case management and mental health services, are services that support retention in HIV care and viral suppression.

Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.

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HIV Treatment Among Hispanic/Latino People with Diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*†
Taking HIV medicine consistently and as prescribed is the best way to achieve and maintain viral suppression.
This chart shows 57 percent of Hispanic/Latino people reported taking all of their doses of HIV medicine compared to 61 percent of people overall.

* Hispanic/Latino people can be of any race.
 Among people aged 18 and older.

Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.

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Depression and Anxiety Among Hispanic/Latino People with Diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*†
People who experience symptoms of depression or anxiety may face challenges maintaining viral suppression.
This chart shows 19 percent of Hispanic/Latino people experienced symptoms of depression and anxiety in the past 12 months.

* Hispanic/Latino people can be of any race.
 Among people aged 18 and older.

Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.

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Homelessness Among Hispanic/Latino People with Diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*†
People who experience homelessness may find it difficult to get HIV care and treatment.
This chart shows 7 percent of Hispanic/Latino people reported homelessness compared to 9 percent of people overall.

* Hispanic/Latino people can be of any race.
 Among people aged 18 and older.

Source: CDC. Medical Monitoring Project.

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Median HIV Stigma Score Among Hispanic/Latino People with Diagnosed HIV in the US, 2020*†
This chart shows Hispanic/Latino people experienced HIV stigma.

Median HIV stigma scores are presented based on a ten-item scale ranging from 0 (no stigma) to 100 (high stigma) that measures personalized stigma during the past 12 months, current disclosure concerns, current negative self-image, and current 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.

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  1. CDC. Behavioral and clinical characteristics of persons with diagnosed HIV infection—Medical Monitoring Project, United States, 2020 cycle (June 2020–May 2021). HIV Surveillance Special Report 2022;29.
  2. CDC. Diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States and dependent areas, 2019. HIV Surveillance Report 2021;32.
  3. CDC. Estimated HIV incidence and prevalence in the United States, 2015–2019.HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report 2021;26(1).
  4. 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).
  5. 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.