Diagnosed HIV is about twice as common among Hispanic/Latino people in the United States as among non-Hispanic white people. A CDC analysis of Hispanic/Latino adults receiving HIV care in 2013–2014 found that women faced much steeper social and economic barriers than men — yet did just as well medically. The likely difference: women used more support services.
Who was studied
The data came from the Medical Monitoring Project (MMP), a nationally representative survey of adults in outpatient HIV care, combining interviews and medical records collected from June 2013 through May 2015. The analysis included 1,774 men and 577 women who identified as Hispanic or Latino, of any race.
Harder lives
| Hispanic/Latino adults in HIV care | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| Living in poverty | 78% | 54% |
| At least one child under 18 in the household | 66% | 37% |
| Public insurance only | 72% | 54% |
| Any private insurance | 14% | 22% |
| Don't speak English well (outside Puerto Rico) | 38% | 21% |
| Binge drinking in the past 30 days | 8.0% | 19.3% |
| Stimulant use | 2.9% | 10.2% |
Poverty affects every stage of HIV care: some antiretroviral regimens must be taken with food, so hunger can lead to missed doses, and without transportation it is hard to get to appointments and pharmacies. Not speaking English well can make it hard to understand a provider's instructions or navigate the health system — and can keep providers from understanding patients.
More support, similar results
| Women | Men | |
|---|---|---|
| Received meal services | 44% | 26% |
| Received transportation services | 35% | 21% |
| Received interpreter services | 27% | 16% |
| Prescribed antiretroviral therapy | 95% | 96% |
| Sustained viral suppression | 68% | 73% |
The differences in treatment and viral suppression were not statistically significant. The authors suggest that women's greater use of meals, transportation and interpreters may have offset the effects of food insecurity, transportation problems and language barriers. Other factors may have helped too: 87% of women and 76% of men had some insurance, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program supports uninsured and underinsured people with HIV, and women reported less substance use, which is linked to poorer adherence.
Still short of the goal
Viral suppression among Hispanic/Latino people in care remains lower than among non-Hispanic white people, and below the national goal of at least 80% for everyone with diagnosed HIV. Providers should be aware of the challenges this population faces and refer patients to the support services they need. CDC supports health departments and community organizations with interventions for Hispanic/Latino communities, and raises awareness through its Partnering and Communicating Together to Act Against AIDS (PACT) partnership, which includes the National Hispanic Medical Association.
Limits
The findings may not apply to Hispanic/Latino people with HIV who are not in care; behaviors were self-reported; and although the data were adjusted for nonresponse, some bias may remain. Patient response rates were 55%–56%.
Sources
Based on Ruth E. Luna-Gierke, R. Luke Shouse, Qingwei Luo, et al., "Differences in Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes Among Hispanic/Latino Men and Women Receiving HIV Medical Care — United States, 2013–2014," Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, volume 67, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; a work of the United States government in the public domain.
许可协议： CC0 1.0（公有领域） · 改编自 www.cdc.gov
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