FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2009

Media Contact: ASHA Media Relations
P.O. Box 13827
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Fred Wyand
(919) 361 - 3124 (voice)
(919) 361 - 8425 (fax)
mediarelations@ashastd.org

Hispanic Communities in the U.S. Impacted by HIV/AIDS

Research Triangle Park, NC –  Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate Hispanic/Latino communities suffer disproportionate rates of HIV/AIDS in the U.S., and the American Social Health Association (ASHA) calls on policymakers to strengthen and expand prevention efforts for these communities.

According to CDC, Hispanic/Latino men are diagnosed with AIDS at a rate three times that of whites. Among women, the figures are even more sobering, as the rate of AIDS in Hispanic/Latina women exceeds that of white women by five-fold.

Research shows that risk factors for HIV/AIDS among Hispanics vary by birthplace. CDC examined data between 2001-2005 from 33 states with name-based HIV reporting and found that compared to Hispanics born in the U.S., for example, those born in South America, Cuba, and Mexico were more likely to be infected through male to male sexual contact. Hispanics born in the Dominican Republic and Central America more frequently are infected through high risk heterosexual contact (sex with partner who has HIV or is at high risk for the infection), while injection drug use is a greater risk factor for those from Puerto Rico.

ASHA president and CEO, Lynn B. Barclay, says prevention programs won't be fully effective unless they're tailored to the needs of each community: "A one size fits all approach isn't likely to work. Hispanics in America represent different ethnicities and nationalities, and for HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention programs to truly work, this diversity must be taken into account."

ASHA's Spanish-language initiatives include brochures, booklets, and posters that give culturally sensitive STI education and support. ASHA also offers twin English/Spanish language websites, www.iwannaknow.org and www.quierosaber.org , that provide sexual health information for hundreds of thousands of young people.

References:|
CDC. HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 2007. vol. 19. Atlanta : U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2009: 1-63.
CDC. HIV/AIDS Among Hispanics - United States, 2001-2005. MMWR 2007;56:[1052-1057].

The American Social Health Association is a trusted, non-profit organization that has advocated on behalf of patients to help improve public health outcomes since 1914. We are America's authority for sexually transmitted infection information. ASHA is recognized by the public, patients, providers and policy makers for developing and delivering accurate, medically reliable information about STIs. Public and college health clinics across the United States order ASHA's educational pamphlets and books to give to clients and students. Community-based organizations depend on ASHA, too, to help communicate about risk, transmission, prevention, testing and treatment.

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