U.S. Hispanics Have 1 in 52 Estimated Lifetime Risk of HIV

THURSDAY, Oct. 14, 2010 (HealthDay News) -- One in 36 Hispanic men and one in 106 Hispanic women in the United States are at risk of being diagnosed with HIV in their lifetime. The overall estimated lifetime risk of HIV diagnosis among Hispanics is one in 52, according to a federal government study released Thursday.

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers analyzed 2007 data from 37 states and Puerto Rico and found that Hispanics had a lower overall estimated lifetime risk (ELR) of an HIV diagnosis than blacks (one in 22), but had a nearly three times higher rate than whites (one in 170).

The study also found that the estimated lifetime risk of HIV diagnosis for Hispanic males was three times higher than for white males (one in 102), while the rate for Hispanic females was five times higher than for white females (one in 538).

The researchers suggested a number of ways to lower the risk of HIV diagnosis among Hispanics. These include an increased focus on culturally and linguistically appropriate intervention programs and increased access to HIV testing, prevention, care and treatment.

The study findings appear in the Oct. 15 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, published by the CDC.

More information

The CDC has more about HIV/AIDS and Hispanics.