National Latino AIDS Awareness Day
October 15, 2004
Abre Los Ojos: El VIH No Tiene Fronteras
(Open Your Eyes: HIV Has No Borders)

In Virginia1

  • There are approximately 378,000 Latinos living in Virginia.
  • Of the more than 16,000 Virginians who are HIV-positive; 5% are Latinos.
  • In 1989 females represented 10% of the HIV cases among Latinos. In 2003 that percentage increased to 32%.
  • In 1989 male Latinos were 5% of all the HIV cases; in 2003 that percentage increased to 6%. Of the male Latino AIDS cases, over 48% are among men who have sex with men.
  • From 2000 - 2002, there has been a 60% growth in reported HIV cases in Latinos.
  • In 2003, 16% of the reported syphilis cases are in Latinos (syphilis increases the risk of contracting HIV).

In the United States2

  • AIDS cases among Latinos have increased from 14% (1981-1987) to 19.7% (1996-2000). Latinos represent 14% of the United States population (including Puerto Rico).
  • In 2001, 20% of all persons living with AIDS were Latinos.
  • HIV ranks as the 2nd leading cause of death for Latino males between the ages of 35-44 and the 4th leading cause of death for Latino males between the ages of 25-34. For Latinas, AIDS is the 4th leading cause of death for 35-44 year olds.
  • Of the male Latino AIDS cases nationally, 42% are among men who have sex with men (74% for Whites), 34% are due to use of HIV-contaminated syringes (9% for Whites), 8% are those who were infected heterosexually, and 7% are among men who have sex with men and inject drugs. Of the Latina female cases, 38% are attributable to use of HIV-contaminated syringes and 47% are those who have had sex with an HIV-positive man.

Virginia Department of Health
HIV/STD/Viral Hepatitis Hotline: 1-800-533-4148
Nacional STD Otilen: 1-800-HFAYUDA
VDH


1Statistical data provided by the Division of HIV, STD, and Pharmacy Services www.vdh.virginia.gov/std
2Statistical data provided by the Latino AIDS Day Organization www.latinoaidsday.org/estadisticas.html